Irfan Siddiqui sent on 14-day judicial remand for ‘violating’ tenancy law

–Lawyer of Nawaz Sharif’s close aide says Siddiqui’s son is registered owner of house

–Firdous expresses reservations over Irfan Siddiqui’s arrest

ISLAMABAD: Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Irfan Siddiqui was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand on Saturday, a day after his arrest in Islamabad.

Siddiqui was arrested late on Friday night from his residence in the federal capital for not informing police while renting out his house under the tenancy law.

He was shifted to the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police station after being kept at the Ramna police station of Islamabad for some time.

Siddiqui, who served as the special assistant to the prime minister on national affairs during the PML-N government, was presented in the court of a judicial magistrate in handcuffs.

Police submitted an application to seek his remand. After initially reserving judgement on the request, Assistant Commissioner Mehreen Baloch sent Siddiqui to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

The lawyers representing Siddiqui also submitted an application seeking bail for their client. It will be heard in the court of AC Baloch on Monday.

The counsel for Siddiqui contended that the house he had been suspected of renting out did not belong to Siddiqui, but that it was owned by his son Imran Siddiqui.

Police said that Siddiqui was arrested under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for not informing the relevant police station about giving his house on rent.

Under this law, the deputy commissioner of Islamabad had directed all property owners to inform local police stations about the particulars of their tenants.

FIRDOUS EXPRESSES RESERVATION:

Meanwhile, commenting on Siddiqui’s arrest, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan expressed reservations over the incident and said that she has called for a copy of the FIR and the matter will further be inspected.

She maintained that the tenancy law was made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and it implements equally on all citizens.

She said there are some questions regarding the tenants to whom Irfan Siddiqui rented out his house. It is necessary for the owner to inform the relevant police station while giving the house on rent, she said.

Firdous affirmed that Irfan Siddiqui and his family should not be treated unjustly.

Referring to Irfan Siddiqui’s profession, the SAPM said the PTI-led government respects the noble profession of teaching and has no policy of covert actions. It is our mission to make all institutions independent but the process will require some time, she concluded.