ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Shah­baz Gill has filed a petition before an Islamabad district and sessions judge seeking post-arrest bail in the sedition case against him.

In his application, Mr Gill said the investigation against him had completed and no evidence had been recovered that might connect him with the crime.

The investigation had not pointed out any proof to substantiate his ill-intention for making such statement.

Mr Gill was arrested on Aug 9. A case was registered against him at the Kohsar police station under Pakistan Penal Code sections 124-A (sedition), 131 (abetting mut­iny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his du­­ty), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot if rioting be committed; if not com­­mitted), 153-A (promoting en­­mity between different groups, etc), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), among others.

According to the FIR, a programme was aired on a news channel in which Mr Gill appeared as a guest. Answering a question, he tried to create a divide between the officers below the rank of brigadier and above, besides trying to affiliate the officers below the rank of brigadier with a political party, it added.

The bail plea mentioned that Mr Gill was entitled for the relief of bail as his physical remand had completed and he was currently in the judicial lockup though his custody was no more required for investigation.

Meanwhile, the Advocate General for Islamabad has challenged the order of the sessions court for dismissing an application seeking physical remand of Mr Gill before the IHC.

The prosecution was seeking physical remand of Mr Gill for another 12 days after expiry of his remand for two day.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2022