Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Wasim Akhtar and Rauf Siddiqui along with Pak Sarzameen Party’s (PSP) Anis Qaimkhani were arrested after being temporarily detained inside the premises of an anti-terrorism court in Dr Asim terror facilitation case here on Tuesday.
The decision came after the ATC rejected their interim bail, according to local media reports. The ATC was hearing Dr Asim Case in a corruption inquiry being conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Initial reports suggest that along with MQM’S Akhtar, the nominated mayor of Karachi, Rauf Siddiqui and PSP President Anis Qaimkhani, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qadir Patel was also present on the occasion, but reportedly managed to flee the court premises following the orders of his arrest.
Patel is also one of the suspects in the case. He, however, later appeared before the media and announced that he will present himself voluntarily before police at Boat Basin police station.
The PPP leader rejected reports claiming he escaped from the ATC premises, saying he had arrived late for today's hearing and after realizing that gates of the court were closed, left the place to move the high court on his counsel's advice.
“Even our lawyers are not being allowed to step outside the ATC and file a formal appeal in the high court,” said Akhtar while speaking with Aaj News. He vowed to file a formal appeal in the Sindh High Court against what he termed was an illegal detention.
All of the mentioned leaders have been accused of requesting PPP politician Dr Asim Hussain to shelter and treat criminals and terrorists at his hospital in Karachi.
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