Sheikh Rashid arrested in Rawalpindi, claims his lawyer

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and close aide of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, is reported to have been arrested in Rawalpindi on Sunday,

According to his counsel Sardar Abdul Razaq, Sheikh Rashid was taken into custody by plain-clothes men in Rawalpindi.

“Rashid was taken into custody by men in plain clothes from his residence in the Pindi housing society,” he said.

He added that the former interior minister was taken into custody from a rented house in the housing society.

“Two of his nephews were also arrested,” he added.

In a video message, the AML leader’s nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq said his uncle was arrested by the Punjab police from Bahria Town Phase III in Rawalpindi and his current whereabouts were unknown.

“Both the Islamabad and Punjab police have told the high courts in writing that Sheikh Rashid is not proclaimed in any case,” he said.

Shafiq also requested the higher courts to take notice of the arrest and find out where his uncle was taken. “We will fight the legal battle and have always indulged in politics of principles,” he added.

PTI condemned Sheik Rashid’s arrest.

“The political victimisation and fascism continues, this time with the arrest of Sheikh Rashid,” PTI  said in a statement posted on X-platform.