ISLAMABAD: A Rawalpindi court on Thursday extended interim bail for Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz until March 7, and directed opposing counsel to conclude arguments by the next hearing date.

Maulana Aziz moved the pre-arrest bail plea before an Islamabad additional district and sessions (ADSJ) judge in two separate cases: prompting incitement, and extending threats to civil society. Both cases were registered against him in October 2014.

ADSJ Raja Asif Mehmood resumed hearing Maulana Aziz`s bail plea. Barrister Masroor Shah, who is representing the civil society, requested that the court grant some time to prepare arguments.

Maulana Aziz`s counsel Tariq Asad asked the court that his client be exempt from making a personal appearance for security reasons. However, the judge asked the Aabpara police station house officer whether he would take responsibility for the cleric`s security. The police officer in question assured the court that Maulana Aziz would be provided the requisite security.

Speaking to the media, Maulana Aziz claimed that the police have registered fake cases against him. `Had there been Sharia law, no one could have instituted fake cases,` he added. Jibran Nasir, a civil society representative, told the media that the courts are there to administer justice, and this is not the era when people could resolve disputes after swearing under the Holy Quran. `I have no personal enmity with any person and I will accept whatever the court verdict would be,` he said.Staff Reporter