A Karachi Court on Tuesday awarded guarantee to Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) chairman AFAQ AHMED in a fire foundation case related to the torch of a truck in Sarjani town.
The additional district and sessions judge (WEST) approved bail against bail bonds worth RS1 million and ordered Ahmed’s release if he is not wanted in any other case.
Ahmed’s lawyer, lawyer Javed Chattari, claimed that the claims were baseless and that police did not fail evidence connecting the MQM-H leader to the incident.
However, the prosecution maintained that the case was registered at Surjani Town Police Station after the alleged arson.
The court noted that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to oppose bail.
The decision comes in the midst of continued lawsuits against political figures in Karachi.
Earlier this month, AFAQ was arrested in connection with fire foundation cases in Karachi’s Awami colony and Landhi areas where unidentified individuals set trucks on fire.
However, the Court questioned the legitimacy of the terror charges invoking in the case.
During the hearing, the judge expressed skepticism about the allegations and noted, “How and why was the terrorism clause used in this case?” He also said that if the case lacked sufficient evidence, it could be rejected directly.
The court also took a critical attitude towards political arrests and noted that imprisonment of politicians often improves their popularity.
“A gentleman is already in prison and is not controlled, now someone else is asked to go out, and he refuses to do so,” the judge noted.
AFAQ Ahmed was taken into custody on February 11 after reports of three cargo vehicles and a water tanker that was faked in different areas of Karachi, including Sharifabad and Surjani Town.
Police presented him to the court to seek physical custody, which was denied by ATC.
