Nov 26 protest: Decision reserved on post-arrest bail appeals of PTI suspects

Islamabad: The District and Sessions Courts, Islamabad, has reserved its decision on the post-arrest bail applications of the accused in connection with the November 26 protest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka heard the post-arrest bail applications of 30 accused arrested at the Ramna police station in connection with the November 26 PTI protest, in which the accused’s lawyer Ansar Kiani and prosecutor Iqbal Kakar appeared.

During the hearing, lawyer Ansar Kiani said that there is a violation of Section 144 in this case, which can only be registered by a special officer. The case was registered against an unknown accused, in which it was said that the accused could be identified if they come forward.

Judge Afzal Majuka remarked that Section 7 will be applicable only when you apply for NOC, to which lawyer Ansar Kiani said that the member of this section is the District Magistrate.

The judge asked the lawyer how long the accused had been in jail, and what is the sentence under Section 188. The lawyer replied that the sentence under Section 188 is one month, he went to jail on November 26.

Judge Afzal said that if the sentence is one month, then he would grant bail, but it has been amended. The lawyer said that there is no such amendment and his sentence is one month.

Prosecutor Iqbal Kakar told the court that Section 144 was in force and the state had also received threats in this regard, they were protesting when the Prime Minister of another country was visiting Pakistan.

The prosecutor said that the protest was held in violation of the order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). This is not the first time that their history is very old, they call for protests every month, and the accused have violated the PAPOA Ordinance.

The judge asked if there was any recovery from them, to which the prosecutor replied that the record in this regard was still coming.

Lawyer Ansar Kiani said that you had said that if the sentence is one month, then you will grant bail, to which the judge remarked that he would look into it.

Later, the court reserved its decision on the accused's post-arrest bail applications.