LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday confirmed bails of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Asad Umar, Farrukh Habib, Yasmin Rashid, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and others in the case related to pelting stones and throwing petrol bombs at police.
ATC Judge Abhar Gull Khan announced the verdict reserved earlier after conclusion of arguments of both sides. The Jude directed all the accused to deposit Rs100,000 as each.
Burhan Moazzam Malik and his legal team represented the PTI leaders in the cases. He argued that the cases registered against the PTI leaders were politically motivated. He said that there was nothing in these cases if these were viewed through the eyes of the prosecution. He asked the court to confirm the bails of his clients nominated in the said cases.
The judge reserved the verdict and then announced it, confirming bail of the PTI leaders.
three cases were filed against the leadership and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for their involvement in clashes with the police and damaging official vehicles during the Zaman Park operation in Lahore. The charges leveled against the accused include rioting, violence against the police, terrorism, attempted murder, robbery, and snatching of weapons.
The first case was registered at the Race Course police station on the complaint of Inspector Zulfiqar Ali, who accused the senior leadership of PTI of inviting armed persons from the area. The case includes provisions such as terrorism, illegal weapons, and attempted murder.
Read More: Imran Khan secures interim bail in three terrorism cases
As per the first information report (FIR), the PTI workers caused severe injuries to 13 police officers, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), through stone-pelting during the Zaman Park operation in Lahore. The FIR also indicates that 102 workers were nominated in the case, out of which 76 were arrested. Furthermore, the police seized eight rifles, hundreds of bullets, and petrol bombs from the PTI workers, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Another case was registered by Constable Shafiq, who claimed to be a victim of PTI workers’ violence. According to the FIR, 40 PTI workers attacked him while he was returning from duty, which is a serious offense under the law.
The third case is related to the destruction of an Elite Force vehicle by the PTI workers, who pushed it into the canal. As per the FIR, the agitating activists also snatched rifles, mobiles, and bulletproof jackets from the police personnel, escalating the already tense situation.
All the accused have been charged with terrorism, attempted murder, dacoity, and snatching weapons, which are serious offenses carrying strict punishments. The police are currently investigating the matter and have vowed to take severe action against those involved in such unlawful activities.
