Islamabad court reserves verdict on plea seeking PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s physical remand for alleged inciting violence against members of election commission and their families and children #fawadchaudhry #ImranKhan #PTI #Pakistan

"An Islamabad district and sessions court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a police request seeking PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry’s eight-day physical remand, hours after he was arrested for “inciting violence against a constitutional institution”. 

The former federal minister was taken into custody early Wednesday morning after a first information report (FIR) against him was registered at Islamabad’s Kohsar police station by an official of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for “threatening” the electoral body’s members and their families. 

“We are also not being given any details of the FIR registered against him,” he said. Faisal, who is also a prominent lawyer, termed his brother’s arrest “illegal” and asserted that he will fight this battle in court. 

The PTI leader was later brought to Lahore’s Cantt court where the judicial magistrate granted police Fawad’s transit remand. 

Later in the day, Islamabad police presented Fawad before Duty Judge Naveed Khan and sought his physical remand for eight days. The prosecutor told the court that authorities needed Fawad’s phone and his laptop, adding that the politician’s custody was required for conducting a photogrammetric test and a voice match. 

During the hearing, ECP lawyer Saad Hasan read out the contents of the FIR. He contended that the PTI leader had termed the electoral watchdog to be a munshi (clerk). 

The lawyer argued that the ECP was a constitutional body, adding that the regime change narrative had been formed under a well-thought out plan. “Fawad Chaudhry damaged the ECP’s reputation by making threatening statements.”

Hasan added that Fawad’s remarks were aimed at inciting one group against the other. He contended that the ECP had received many threatening letters. “The purpose of Fawad’s speech was to promote hatred against the commission.” 

He further said that Fawad had not apologised for his remarks and was still standing by them, adding that there was a lot of “electronic proof” present against the politician. 

On the other hand, the PTI leader requested the judge to dismiss the case registered against him, arguing that the FIR was not in accordance with the law. “

They have charged me with sedition for doing criticism. If this happens, then democracy and freedom of expression will cease to exist.” 

He said that whatever he says is on the PTI’s behalf. “I am the party’s spokesperson. Whatever I say is my party’s policy. It is not necessary that what I say is my personal opinion.” 

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