The development comes after federal govt sends Rangers and FC to Adiala prison
Prison officials at Adiala jail Wednesday evening refused – for over four hours — to hand over Shahbaz Gill to an Islamabad police party that arrived at the prison to secure custody of the PTI leader, who was earlier remanded into police custody by the court.
The refusal led to a standoff that ended only when Punjab officials relented in view of the federal government’s decision to send Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) to Adiala jail to ensure compliance with court orders, SAMAA TV reported.
The resistance from Punjab officials — under the Pervaiz Elahi government — came shortly after
Imran Khan and other party leaders expressed fears that Islamabad police will extract from Gill a ‘false statement’ against Imran Khan during the interrogation.
Imran Khan also
ordered the Punjab government to somehow move Gill to a hospital to evade his transfer to Islamabad authorities, even if it meant flouting court orders.
SAMAA TV reported that when a party from Islamabad police – led by DSP Khalid Awan, Kohisar Police Station SHO Arshad Hussain and Investigation Officer Talat — arrived at Adiala jail, the prison officials said that they were moving Gill to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Rawalpindi.
Islamabad police officials, however, insisted on securing his custody as ordered by the court.
As the argument continued more police personnel from both Punjab police and Islamabad police arrived at the jail, creating a standoff, which continues even after four hours.
Two busloads of Punjab police personnel arrived at the Adiala jail while senior officials from Islamabad police and Punjab police also poured in.
There were so many vehicles outside the prison gate the entry was blocked, the TV reported.
ATS and Punjab police personnel have been deployed at the gate.
Officials also called in ambulances from Rescue 1122, which is under the Punjab government, and PIMS Hospital, which is under Islamabad authorities.
Punjab officials have also deployed a police contingent at DHQ Rawalpindi where Gill is to be likely moved, reported Adil Tanoli.
After the deadlock could not break for four hours, the federal government decided to call in Rangers and FC at around 9pm.
Islamabad Capital Police, in a statement posted to Twitter, said that it had handed over the court ruling to the jail authorities.
Islamabad Police has completed all legal requirements and will implement the orders of the court and hope for amicable cooperation, the statement said.
Shahbaz Gill faces sedition charges and was detained on August 9, a day after he urged personnel of the armed forces to disobey their commanders. Gill made the remarks in a phone-in conversation over a private-run TV channel.
He was sent to Adiala jail only two days after being arrested as a lower court turned down the police request to extend his physical remand.
After the police petitioned the Islamabad High Court, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court on Wednesday
granted police 48 hours to interrogate Gill to complete their investigation.
Police say they want to recover the mobile phone and other devices being used by Gill.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
The development comes after federal govt sends Rangers and FC to Adiala prison
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