ISLAMABAD. The Federal Investigation Agency on Sunday claimed to have arrested MNA Rashid Shafique, the nephew of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid, from Islamabad airport after a Faisalabad resident lodged an FIR against him over his apparent involvement in the Masjid-e-Nabwi incident, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation were heckled and assaulted by pilgrims.

According to sources, police have shifted Shafique from the new Rawalpindi airport police station to Attock as another case is also registered against him there.

Separately, law enforcement agencies including Faisalabad police raided Sheikh Rashid’s media centre at Sector F74 in Islamabad on Saturday night. “Officials from the law enforcement agency had arrived last night at the house in Sector F-7/4 in Islamabad. But they left without any arrests,” Rashid told Aaj News via phone.

He also confirmed his nephew’s arrest and the raid. “They [incumbent government leaders] have gone mad. [Interior Minister] Rana Sanaullah has got an FIR registered in his own area. The government has turned to take revenge, things will not be better,” Rashid said.

The Awami Muslim League leader claimed that such attempts were made to fail the PTI’s long march call to Islamabad which will begin at the end of May. He refrained from taking bail from the case and announced a press conference on Sunday (today) at 3:05pm.

Sources said that Faisalabad police were expected to conduct more raids to arrest the people named in FIR.

Moreover, PML-N workers also protested against Sheikh Rashid in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Rashid and former prime minister Imran Khan could also be arrested if a piece of evidence was found for their apparent involvement in violating the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabwi.

“Sheikh Rashid will not be abducted but officially arrested,” he was quoted as saying in a statement. Sanaullah alleged that some people from sent from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia apparently for sloganeering against the new government.

“Two FIRs have been registered in Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. These cases were registered by the people based on their emotions. We will not be a hurdle in the cases and those whose confession is present will be arrested,” he added.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry described Shafique’s arrest as “abduction”.

“An attempt has also been made to abduct Sheikh Rashid. PTI strongly condemns these actions,” he said in a tweet.