Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday suspended a notice issued to Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed by Aapara police station, Islamabad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.   

The police summoned the AML chief in a case related to allegations against former president Asif Ali Zardari.  

Islamabad High Court Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri conducted the hearing of the case and issued a notice to Islamabad Police to appear before the court on Monday with the relevant record. 

Earlier, Sheikh Rasheed appeared in court along with his lawyers. 

The court enquired how can an application be given in the name of SSP operation as it is given to the SHO of the police station. 

The police submitted to the court that Sheikh Rasheed did not appear before the police despite repeated summons.

Sheikh Rasheed has been given several opportunities to appear before the police but he has failed to comply with the order of the police. 

They contended to the court that Sheikh Rasheed is reluctant to appear before the police and record his statement. “Sheikh Rasheed's accusation against the police for harassing him is based on the police.” The police respect the courts and will tell that the police did not harass anyone. 

Pertinent to mention, an application was filed at the Aabpara police station in Islamabad for the registration of a case against Sheikh Rashid for allegedly making allegations against former president Asif Ali Zardari.

According to the petitioner, the AML chief claimed that Asif Ali Zardari has hired a “group of terrorists” to target PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan. The plea stated that Sheikh Rashid’s accusations are part of a conspiracy and intends to create threats for Zardari and his family.

A day earlier, the Aapara police station summoned Shaikh Rashid to appear before the police but he did not.  The sleuths summoned repeatedly the AML chief to come to the police station and explain himself but he failed to reply. 

They also warned the senior politician of legal action for defying the summons. 

In the latest development, the AML chief has filed a petition against the police notice in the high court through his counsel Sardar Razzaq, Naeem Haider and Intazar Hussain. He pleaded with the IHC to declare the notice null and void as it was issued illegally.