SC issues notice to govt in Shahbaz Gill torture case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the federal government in the alleged torture case of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan and comprising of Justice Sayed Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail heard the petition filed by the PTI against Gill’s alleged torture during police custody and his physical remand.

The apex court sought the record from the investigation officer during the next hearing. The bench then adjourned the case for an indefinite time. Gill was in custody following a sedition case filed against him last month after he uttered a speech during an interview with a private TV channel. He was booked for allegedly inciting mutiny within the military’s ranks in his speech.

On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted post-arrest bail to Gill in the case. However, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah during the hearing remarked: “Such reckless statements were not expected from a person who claims to be an academician and is held out as a spokesman of a political party.”