Sheikh Rashid released from Adiala Jail after ATC aproves his bail

An anti-terrorism court granted Awami Mulsim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed bail on Saturday in a case pertaining to the May 9 riots.

ATC judge Malik Ijaz Asif conducted the hearing of a bail plea filed by Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

The court directed the release of the AML chief against a surety bond of Rs200,000.

Following the court’s order, the former interior minister was released from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.

During today’s hearing, Sheikh Rashid’s lawyer attended the hearing while no one from the prosecution side appeared before the court. 

The judge expressed resentment over the absence of the prosecutor during the hearing.

Talking to the media, Sheikh Rashid, who suffered defeat in the NA-56 elections, said he did not run any election campaign due to his detention.

“I don’t know what is going on in the country,” he added.

Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed lost on both the National Assembly constituencies in Rawalpindi, to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independent candidates in the Feb 8 general elections, according to a concession statement issued by his nephew Rashid Shafeeq.