A local court in Islamabad has decided to keep Fawad Chaudhry, a former federal minister, in police custody for two days. He is being investigated for a case involving alleged fraud of Rs5 million.
On November 4, the Islamabad Police arrested Fawad while he was having breakfast in a park near his home. Fawad’s wife, Hiba Chaudhry, confirmed his arrest on social media, and his brother, Faisal Chaudhry, also confirmed the news.
In response to a plea against his arrest, Magistrate Ahmed Shehzad Gondal of the Kohsar police station ordered the police to provide a report on the matter.
On Sunday, Fawad was brought to court, and the prosecutor read out a First Information Report (FIR) filed against him. The complainant, Zaheer, claimed that he gave Fawad Chaudhry Rs5 million with the expectation of getting a job. However, Fawad didn’t provide the job and refused to return the money. The complainant also alleged that Fawad used his armed guards to threaten him if he kept asking for his money back.
The prosecutor asked the court to keep Fawad in custody for five days to help recover the money and weapons that Fawad is believed to have. Fawad’s lawyer opposed this request.
The duty magistrate decided to keep Fawad in police custody for two days and ordered medical exams before and after his custody. Fawad is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, November 7, at 11 am.
Fawad Chaudhry, who was once a prominent member of the PTI party, left the party on May 24. This was shortly after authorities cracked down on individuals, many of whom were PTI leaders, for alleged vandalism following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on May 9. Fawad initially said he was taking a break from politics but later joined meetings with disgruntled PTI members who formed a new party called the IPP.
