An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad has ordered the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers held in cases linked to the party’s long march. The court acted on Saturday, when Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Zul-Qarnain discharged the detainees after police asked for more time to hold identification parades.
Lawyers for the workers had opposed the police request, saying their clients had spent more than 40 days in custody. The arrests were made in cases registered at Shalimar and Secretariat police stations in Islamabad.
Lawyers accuse police of repeated delays
Counsel told the court that police had repeatedly sought adjournments and had failed to bring the detainees to hearings. They insisted the workers were innocent and said they had been arrested deliberately.
The lawyers further alleged that police could detain anyone and label them PTI workers as they saw fit. They asked the court to ensure that its earlier order was followed.
Rawalpindi court cancels bails of two PTI figures
In a separate ruling on Friday, a Special Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi cancelled the interim bail of PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjutha and former MPA Fakhar Jahan. The court cited their repeated absence from hearings in cases tied to political protests held in late 2024.
Panjutha faces two cases registered at Saddar Hasan Abdal Police Station, and the court dismissed his interim bail applications. Jahan’s interim bail was revoked in a case at Hazro Police Station concerning the November 26 protests, due to his continued non-appearance. Hearings in the remaining protest-related cases were adjourned to a later date.
