KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Thursday obtained interim bail from a district court in two criminal cases, including one registered in 1987.

Mr Sattar, whose nomination papers to contest the July 25 general elections on National Assembly’s NA-245 constituency had been rejected by the returning officer concerned for being an absconder in connection with criminal cases, moved applications to seek pre-arrest bail.

The first case pertained to a party workers’ gathering in PIB Colony on June 27, 1987.

According to the FIR, MQM leader Mohammad Shahid organised a programme in which MQM chief Altaf Hussain, general secretary Azeem Tariq and Farooq Sattar were present along with 600-700 participants.

“Altaf Hussain criticised an Urdu newspaper and announced to boycott the publication over the loudspeaker,” stated the FIR, adding it was seen that armed bodyguards were also present in the meeting.

A case under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, Sections 2/3 of the Loudspeaker Act read with Section 13-D of the Arms Ordinance was registered at the New Town police station.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018