pakistan
Islamabad ATC cancels Imran Khan’s bail in ECP protest case
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday cancelled PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s bail over non-appearance in a case pertaining to protest outside the office of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
ATC Judge Jawad Abbas issued the order after the PTI chief defied a court order to attend the hearing. Earlier in the day, the court turned down a plea seeking exemption from personal appearance in the case.
The decision coincided with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order to bar a banking court in the federal capital from deciding on a bail petition of Mr Khan in the prohibited funding case.
The PTI chief, secretary-general Asad Umar and dozens of party workers were booked in October last for alleged violence during the protests in Islamabad. The protest were staged by the PTI after the ECP disqualified Mr Khan as a member of the National Assembly over submitted a false affidavite regarding his assets. The case was registered at the Sagjani police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
During the hearing, the PTI chief’s lawyer Babar Awan argued that terrorism related sections were wrongly added in the case, adding that the court could give its findings at any time. “If court issues it findings, the case will be referred to the other court,” he said.
To which, the judge remarked how he could hear a case on merit when the suspect was reluctant to appear before the court. He said the ongoing case was related to Imran Khan’s bail. “I will treat an influential person and a common man equally,” Judge Jawad Abbas commented.
Mr Awan pleaded the court to extend the bail till Feb 27, adding that the PTI chief tried to travel for hearing but he couldn’t. He said he was ready to withdraw the bail petition if terrorism section was omitted in the case.
The judge remarked, “You can take back the petition at any time and there is also an option to get a protective bail from the Lahore High Court”. After hearing arguments, the judge granted him time till 2:30pm to decide either he will take back the bail petition or court will decide on it. After a short break, the court resumed hearing and rejected Imran Khan’s bail plea.
The PTI chief was granted an interim bail more than four months ago. As per the rule, the suspect has to appear before the court in personal capacity until he is on the interim bail.
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad has discharged 32 individuals arrested in connection with the PTI protests, clearing them of the charges.
The 32 accused were brought before the ATC Islamabad late at night after being sent for an identification parade.
The case was heard by ATC Judge Abulhasnat Zulqarnain, with the accused represented by their lawyer Ansar Kiani.
Although the police had claimed that the arrests were made at the I-9 and Margalla police stations, the accused were brought to the court from Jhelum Jail, which led to the judge expressing displeasure.
During the proceedings, the police argued that the accused were arrested on November 25 and the identification parade had not yet been conducted. The police requested a 30-day physical remand for each of the accused.
However, the defense lawyer opposed the request, stating that there had been no identification parade and the police were seeking remand for recovery purposes.
The lawyer further claimed that the police had picked up laborers from their homes just to meet arrest quotas, involving them in the protest case.
After hearing the arguments, Judge Abulhasnat Zulqarnain ordered the release of the 32 accused by discharging them from the case, removing their handcuffs in the courtroom.
He also warned that if the police re-arrested them, the officers would be handcuffed as well.
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Saturday extended bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser in a case pertaining to vandalism in Sangjani public gathering held by his party on Sept 28.
Justice Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain of the ATC conducted hearing of the case against the former NA speaker.
The petitioner’s lawyer requested exemptionof her client from appearance, citing terminal illness.
The lawyer also attached medical certificate of the former NA speaker.
Later, the court accepted the plea of Qaiser by extending his bail till Jan 7.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif claimed on Saturday that “secret meetings” were being held in the President House to oust Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and bring Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the new PM.
In a statement, the adviser said both father and son (President Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal) were making all the necessary efforts for premiership of the latter, adding that the president was on a secret mission to see his son as the PM.
“Zardari should make his son the PM through fair means instead of stealing the mandate given by the people to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Both Sharifs and Zardaris are enjoying the power through a stolen mandate,” he added.
He reiterated that Zardari should keep it in mind that the PTI would continue its struggle to restore its mandate.
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