KARACHI: Justice Shahnawaz Tariq of High Court of Sindh (SHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail to an applicant Saleem Ahmed against a solvent surety of rupees 50,000.

Earlier the bench heard Zia-ul-Hasan advocate, counsel for applicant who submitted that applicant was booked by the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigations (DIT) Karachi, Pakistan Customs on charge of under-invoicing.

There is no evidence regarding under invoicing and action against the applicant/accused is based on malafides, he submitted. He said that accused/applicant is ready to cooperate in the investigations but custom authorities are bent upon arresting him. He pleaded for granting pre-arrest protective bail to the applicant enabling him to appear before the authorities and subsequently trial court (Special Customs Court).

The bench after hearing Zia-ul-Hasan Advocate at length admitted the accused to protective bail for seven days directing him to submit a solvent surety of rupees 50,000 with the Nazir of the Court.