Former Pakistan interior minister Sheikh Rashid arrested in May 9 riots case

Former Pakistan interior minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid was arrested from outside a courtroom after his bail was rejected in a case related to the May 9 riots, according to Geo News on Tuesday.

A case was registered against Rashid for vandalism at the Metro bus station in Rawalpindi.

Rashid is being shifted to New Town Police Station, added the Geo News report.

The hearing of the riots-related cases was adjourned till 25 January.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi had granted bail to the leader and other accused in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case. The case had been lodged at the A R Bazaar Police Station against the accused.

In another development today, the court also approved bail of nominated persons including Rashid in a case related May 9 riots, that erupted across the country after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder.

Prior to this development, the senior politician, who emerged as one of the strong allies of incarcerated former premier Imran Khan during his entire tenure, and other accused had secured interim bails in 9 out of 13 cases from the ATC in Rawalpindi.

With inputs from agencies