Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed was apprehended in Islamabad from a private housing society, accompanied by his two nephews.
Reports indicate that Islamabad police, as well as unidentified plainclothes officials, conducted the arrest and subsequently transported them to an undisclosed location. This incident took place in Phase 3 of a private housing society, where Sheikh Rasheed was residing at the time. His lawyer, Sardar Abdul Raziq, confirmed the arrest and mentioned that Sheikh Rasheed’s nephew Sheikh Shakir and an employee named Imran were also detained. The specific reason for Sheikh Rasheed’s arrest remains unknown, prompting plans for legal action.
Later that night, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed was transferred to Rawalpindi Police custody, with tight security measures in place. Notably, the Rawalpindi Police spokesperson clarified that their department was not responsible for Sheikh Rasheed’s arrest and that he was not in their custody, refuting previous claims.
Advocate Sheikh Rasheed’s lawyer later released a video message in which he disclosed that Rawalpindi Police had apprehended Sheikh Rasheed from the Islamabad police station in Lohi Bhir, with SSP Operations Rawalpindi Faisal Salim overseeing the operation. The raid also involved SHOs from Newtown, Civil Lines, and Westridge, and resulted in the detention of Sheikh Rasheed, his nephew Sheikh Shakir, employee Imran, and driver Sajjad.
Regarding Sheikh Rasheed’s arrest, his nephew and former MNA, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, asserted that Sheikh Rasheed was not a wanted individual in any police case and questioned the reasons behind his apprehension. He emphasized that both Punjab and Islamabad police had previously stated in court that Sheikh Rasheed was not sought in any cases. Sheikh Rashid Shafiq called for the Supreme Court to clarify the grounds for Sheikh Rasheed’s arrest and expressed concern over the potential consequences, indicating that their lawyer, Sardar Abdul Raziq, would take the matter to court.