ISLAMABAD: A local court in federal capital rejected police’s plea and approved three-day physical remand of Lieutenant General (retd) Amjad Shoaib.

Former military officer was presented in court of Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah today after he was arrested by Islamabad Police early this morning on charges of inciting public against national institutions. During hearing, prosecution informed court about case registered against former three-star general and requested seven-day physical remand. Prosecutor Adnan contended that ex-general, through his statement on TV, tried to spread hate between government, opposition and government employees.

Lawyer also told court that they require photogrammetric test of former military officer and have to take him to Lahore for purpose.

Prosecutor then requested court to approve seven-day physical remand of Lt Gen (retd) Shoaib.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen (retd) Shoaib’s lawyer Mudassir Khalid Abbasi opposed physical remand request and instead urged court to discharge case.

“Sections inserted in FIR do not apply to Amjad Shoaib,” said lawyer. He added that his client only gave an example of certain situation. Lawyer also contended that case against Shoaib was registered on “Political grounds”, adding that his client was also being harassed.

“If legitimate criticism is wrong then eliminate opposition from system,” argued Abbasi.

Shoaib’s other lawyer Qaiser Imam told court that former military officer had admitted uttering words and there was no need to conduct photogrammetric and voice matching tests.

However, prosecution told magistrate that it was necessary for trial to carry out tests.

Moving on, Riasat Ali Azad, Shoaib’s third lawyer told court that his client is patriot. He also shared that his client had fought 1965 and 1971 wars.

All three lawyers of former military officer then requested court to discharge case. While prosecution opposed request to discharge case. Court then reserved its verdict.

According to FIR, filed on the complaint of Islamabad Magistrate Owais Khan, former Army officer incited people to revolt against institutions and attempted to provoke disharmony and anarchy and create law and order situation in country through his controversial statements made on TV show.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 28 2023

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