Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Capt Safdar (retd) arrested in hate speech case

Lahore, October 22

Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s son-in-law Capt Mohammad Safdar (retd) has been arrested for allegedly passing comments against the army chief and the judges of the apex court.

Lahore Police, in a statement, said Safdar was arrested on Monday night near the Ravi toll plaza.

Police said he was wanted in a case of hate speech he made against the state institutions on October 13.

“An FIR has been registered against Safdar at Sadar Road police station, Lahore, for making hate speech against the army and the judiciary,” they said.

Section 124-A of the Pakistan Penal Code has also been included in the FIR under which a suspect can be handed down a life imprisonment.

Capt Safdar (retd) during his court appearance on October 13 allegedly targeted Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. He alleged that Imran Khan’s government was installed only to secure “'extension” and “promotions”.

PMLN spokesman Marriyum Aurangzeb condemned Safdar’s arrest, saying the “fascist” government of Imran Khan was taking revenge from the Sharif family.

“If someone should be arrested for hate speech it is Imran Khan,” she said.

Safdar’s wife Maryam Nawaz is already in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on money- laundering charges.

Nawaz Sharif is also in NAB custody facing money-laundering charges. He was shifted to a hospital on Monday after his condition deteriorated. He is also serving a seven-year imprisonment in Al-Azizia corruption case. PTI