Pak sessions court remands Shahzain Bugti to judicial custody

Quetta, Jan 4 (ANI): Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) leader Shahzain Bugti and his 26 security guards, who were arrested last month for allegedly carrying a huge cache of arms and ammunition, have been remanded to judicial custody by a judicial magistrate.

Shahzain's case was earlier transferred from an anti-terrorism court to a sessions court, as the ATC judge declared that his case did not fall under the purview of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

On December 22, paramilitary troops had arrested Shahzain and his 26 security guards at the Buleli checkpost after allegedly finding a huge cache of arms and ammunition in vehicles of his convoy coming from the border town of Chaman.

Talking to reporters after the hearing, Shahzain's lawyer Vishua Nath Kohli said a bail application for his clients and the 26 co-accused was filed in the sessions court, and that the hearing would take place on January 6.

After appearing before the court, Shahzain expressed his faith in the judiciary.

"I respect the judiciary and will accept its verdict, whatever it would be," the Daily Times quoted him, as telling reporters.

The planned 'long march' towards Dera Bugti would be organised at any cost, he added.

Meanwhile, Baloch seperatist leader Bramdagh Bugti issued a public statement criticising Shahzain, dubbing him a tool of the Pakistani establishment. (ANI)