PESHAWAR: The Islamabad Police on Monday informed the court that the FIR – registered under sedition charges – against Iman Zainab Mazari, daughter of Federal Minister for Human Rights Shirin Mazari and 200 Baloch students have been withdrawn.
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the plea of Mazari seeking dismissal of the case. The court had earlier issued notices to Interior Ministry, ministry of Human Rights and Inspector General of Islamabad. The court had expressed concerns over the “profiling of Baloch students”.
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A case of sedition against the state was registered against Iman Zainab Mazari, daughter of Federal Minister Shirin Mazari. The Deputy Attorney General told the court that the FIR against Mazari and the Baloch students had been withdrawn. Iman Mazari’s lawyer Zainab Janjua told the court that section 144 was being misused by the government.
“We have said that no arrest will be made in such cases without the order of district magistrate,” the court said. Acting on a statement made by the Deputy Attorney General in the court, Islamabad Police withdrew the case against Mazari and Baloch students.
Baloch students had staged an anti-government protest outside the National Press Club on March 1 against “enforced disappearances” but the police had restored to baton charge and registered sedition case against the protestors. The police had forcibly removed hundreds of protesters, including Iman Zainab Mazari and National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar from the protest site. Dozens of students were injured in the police operation during the protest. The SSP operation said that three policemen were also injured that day.
According to the police, the case has been registered against the protestors for chanting anti-state slogans during the protests. The FIR was registered in Kohsar police station of Islamabad.
The Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah had remarked that sedition charges should registered against the people who have suppressed the voice of Baloch students.