LAHORE: Mian Javed Latif, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has been arrested after District and Sessions Court Lahore dismissed his bail plea in a controversial remarks case.
He has been accused of making anti-state remarks.
The verdict on his bail plea was reserved earlier after which Latif left the court premises along with his team. He was taken into custody near Sagian Bridge.
The court heard on Tuesday the final arguments of the prosecutor and Latif’s lawyer Farhad Ali Shah.
The prosecutor said that the politician made anti-state remarks while speaking in favour of his party leader. His remarks were against the country’s law, he remarked, adding that they have sent his interview for a forensic examination.
Shah, on the other hand, argued that his client is being politically victimised. He remarked that his remarks have been taken out of context.
Latif, who appeared in court for the hearing, left with his team after the verdict was reserved.
On March 13, PML-N leader Mian Javed Latif said that they would not chant Pakistan Khappay (we want Pakistan) if anything happened to his party’s vice-president, Maryam Nawaz. “It is the matter of a leader’s life,” Javed Latif said. “I am saying it beforehand when Benazir Bhutto realized the threats to her life, she took names and after that the tragedy took place.”
A week later, an FIR including sections on criminal conspiracy and intimidation was registered against Latif. The complaint was filed by a resident of Lahore’s Township, identified as Muhammad Jameel Saleem, at the area’s police station on March 20 at 8am.
The politician was charged under sections 120B [Punishment of criminal conspiracy], 153A [Promoting enmity between different groups], 505(1)B [Statements conducing to public mischief], and 506 [Punishment for criminal intimidation] of the Pakistan Penal Code. Sections of the Preventions of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 were included in the FIR as well.
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