Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Javed Latif has been arrested on bail in a case relating to anti-state remarks. A district and sessions court in Lahore heard the case on Tuesday, in which the prosecutor requested the court to sought the removal of Latif’s release on bail.
PML-N lawmaker Javed Latif has been accused of making anti-Pakistan remarks. At the time of arrest 👇 pic.twitter.com/RZm0wZR5so
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) April 27, 2021
The public prosecutor argued that the PML-N MNA’s controversial statement was tantamount to overstepping the bounds of love for his leader. A CD of his statement has been sent to forensics.
The prosecution’s case is in accordance with all the requirements of the law, and at this stage, he does not have a basis to obtain bail, the prosecutor said.
Last month, Latif had made a controversial comment which was deemed “anti-Pakistan” by the government and a case was registered against him. Latif had said that if anything happens to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, “PML-N will not say Pakistan Khappay (we want Pakistan)”, unlike Zardari, who had used those words after Benazir Bhutto was assassinated.
Latif’s lawyer said a conspiracy is being hatched to assassinate PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz. He said Latif made his comment in the context of this conspiracy.
The court, after hearing the arguments of both lawyers, initially reserved judgment on Latif’s bail application. Shortly after, however, the court dismissed his interim bail. After Latif’s interim bail was dismissed, the police arrested him from the courtroom.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) Javed Latif deliberately defaming the state institutions and carried out hate speech. Jameel Saleem further stated that the statement of the PML-N stalwart created hate between the party and the Pakistan People’s Party workers and he created chaos
He has urged the authorities to take action against MNA Mian Javed Latif under the Pakistan Prevention of Electronic Crime Act.
It is to be noted that Javed Latif had said during a current affairs show on a private TV channel that if anything happened to PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N will not say “Pakistan Khappay”.
Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Captain (retired) Safdar Awan had also been booked on treason charges over his anti-state speeches.
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The case was registered at the Satelite Town Police Station Gujranwala over the complaint of SHO. Safdar Awan in his press conference on Saturday had criticized state institutions.
This Maryam Safdar sycophant Javed Latif has the audacity to threaten to break up Pakistan. Any fool who places loyalty to leader above loyalty to the country is a disgrace & should be dealt with accordingly. pic.twitter.com/d3nXf7OxRf
— Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) March 13, 2021
After the controversial statement, Latif said that “whether [the government] chooses to call him a traitor or hangs him”, he — along with his party — will “not let Pakistan sink.”