KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday handed over former federal minister and MQM leader Babar Ghauri to police on a seven-day physical remand.
On Monday night, the law-enforcement agencies detained Babar Khan Ghauri, as soon he landed at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi after ending his seven-year self-exile.
The police produced the ex-federal minister before the court today to seek his remand which was duly granted.
Ghauri was brought to court amid tight security, seated in the front seat of the police vehicle, and the police refrained from handcuffing the MQM leader — who was considered a close ally of former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.
In court, police told the judge that Ghauri was suspected of facilitating a provocative speech and a case has been registered against him at the SITE Super Highway Police Station.
After hearing the police’s arguments, the court awarded them a seven-day remand of Ghauri.
Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Ghauri said that the cases against him are "baseless" and that had there been any truth in the allegations, he would "not have returned".
In a separate development, the Sindh High Court (SHC) granted Ghauri a nine-day protective bail in the National Accountability Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cases — prohibiting the watchdogs from arresting him.
It is pertinent to mention here that last week, the SHC had granted two-week protective bail to him in a corruption reference and a money-laundering and terror-financing case.
The FIA had also booked Ghauri and other party leaders in 2017 in a money laundering and terror financing case.
The National Accountability Bureau had also filed a reference with an accountability court in 2018 as he, as a federal minister for Ports and Shipping from 2008 to 2013, was also facing charges of massive corruption in Karachi Port Trust through 940 illegal appointments.
Cantonment Board Clifton envisages special plan to cope with monsoon rain emergency
CM orders to increase number of meritorious scholarships from 4,000 to 25,000 for students in province
Gohar Khan announces calling off rally saying commissioner doesn't have authority to suspend notification
Miftah Ismail says existing "predatory" system cannot continue in the country
Introduction of electric vehicles falls in line with global trend and shift towards environment-friendly vehicles
Provincial government has sought deployment of army and imposed ban on pillion riding to maintain law and order