An Islamabad district and sessions court extended one-day physical remand of former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a case related to financial fraud.
The Islamabad police was granted on Sunday two days physical remand of the former minister who was arrested from his residence in Islamabad during a police raid, leading to allegations from his family that he was “abducted by men in plainclothes.”
According to the First Information Report (FIR), filed on August 22, 2022, at the Aabpara police station, Chaudhry was charged under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including abetment, obstructing public servants, disobedience to orders, wrongful restraint, and criminal intimidation. Alongside Chaudhry, other prominent figures such as AML chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, PTI leaders Murad Saeed, Faisal Javaid Khan, Asad Umer, and several others, including over 1,000 unidentified individuals, were named in the FIR.
During the court proceedings, Chaudhry was brought in with his hands bound and face covered with a black sack, drawing attention and concern.
His defense counsel, Faisal Chaudhry, urged the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the police for violating previous orders and covering the former minister’s face. Faisal also requested permission for Chaudhry to meet his wife and other family members.
The prosecutor informed the court that Chaudhry was uncooperative with the police and provided details of the case, alleging that Chaudhry had promised a job in exchange for money but failed to fulfill the commitment. The prosecutor sought a five-day extension in Chaudhry’s remand, citing the need to recover a pistol and money from him and conduct an identification parade.
Chaudhry’s defense counsel contested these claims, arguing that the case against his client lacked substance and witnesses. He questioned the progress made during the two days Chaudhry was in police custody and raised concerns about potential political victimization in this case, suggesting an improper use of the law.
The court reserved its verdict after the arguments concluded.
Notably, Chaudhry was one of several PTI leaders who had parted ways with the party after the unrest on May 9, following the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises. Chaudhry, although previously stating he was “taking a break from politics,” was seen at the launch ceremony of the Jahangir Khan Tareen-led Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) in June. However, Chaudhry has yet to confirm his official association with the IPP, which has gained support from several former PTI members since the events of May 9.
