ATC sends Saleem Shahzad to jail on judicial remand till Feb 18

KARACHI: Senior leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Saleem Shahzad was sent to jail by an anti-terrorism court on judicial remand until February 18.

The court sought a supplementary charge sheet against Shahzad from police officials in a case related to providing treatment and shelter to terrorists.

According to latest reports, the accused was taken to the court amid high security for the hearing of various cases against him.

A lawyer for Saleem Shahzad presented the court his medical reports. He maintained that the politician was seeking treatment for cancer, and he should be released.

Speaking to journalists, Saleem Shehzad expressed his faith in the courts. He said he was suffering from kidney and liver cancer and he had no idea he would be arrested. "Look at (PPP politician) Sharjeel Memon, out on bail," he said.

Investigation officials said that they were trying to reopen cases for Saleem Shahzad, however they were facing difficulties as the case files had gone missing, local media reported.

Relatives of the Saleem Shahzad were present at the court with his medical reports. They maintained that the politician was seeking treatment for cancer, and he should be released.

Investigation officials said that 23 cases had been registered against the former MQM politician who was arrested from the airport on Monday as soon as he landed at Karachi airport from Dubai in a case in which he had been declared a proclaimed offender.

The Karachi police formally arrested the MQMs former leader, Saleem Shahzad, at the airport in the Dr Asim case, said a brief statement issued by a police spokesperson.

Shahzad expressed satisfaction over the judicial system in Pakistan and said that he will face all the charges against him.