Islamabad Police formally announced the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, who had been in hiding for a long time, and presented him before a court. The court rejected the police request for physical remand and ordered that the accused be sent to jail on judicial remand. According to reports, Islamabad Police formally arrested Khalid Khurshid in a case registered in connection with the November 26 protest.

Khalid Khurshid was allegedly taken into custody along with the Speaker from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Peshawar and was immediately transferred to Islamabad, where he was presented before the special Anti-Terrorism Court amid tight security. During the hearing, police and investigators requested physical remand to conduct further questioning of the accused. However, the Anti-Terrorism Court judge rejected the police request for physical remand.

After reviewing the investigation team's arguments, the court ordered that former Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid be immediately transferred to jail on judicial custody. It may be recalled that Khalid Khurshid had long been wanted by law enforcement agencies in anti-terrorism cases registered in connection with the November 26 political protest and rioting, and had remained in hiding. After his arrest from the Speaker House in Peshawar was announced, he was sent to jail in judicial custody following the court proceedings, where his legal proceedings will continue.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)