An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday ordered the immediate release of all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs arrested from Parliament House over alleged violations of the law during the Sept. 8 Sangjani rally and harassment of police.
ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain issued the order for post-arrest bail of all the incarcerated MNAs after hearing their pleas, directing them to furnish surety bonds of Rs. 30,000 each.
During today’s proceedings, prosecutor Raja Naveed informed the court that Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) MNA Muhammad Ahmed Chattha was also nominated in the case. He urged the court to reject the bail, as the minimum sentence for provisions imposed in the case was three years.
“Has anything been recovered from Sher Afzal Marwat, Ahmed Chattha and other MNAs?” the judge questioned and was responded to in the negative.
The court separately approved a pre-arrest bail petition filed by PTI leader Ali Bukhari in a case pertaining to his alleged violation of the no objection certificate and assault on police personnel in Islamabad during the rally. The case was then adjourned until Oct. 1.
Several PTI lawmakers were arrested on the night of Sept. 8 over alleged violations of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 and alleged clashes with police during the rally.