ATC extends physical remand of ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmad

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday extended the physical remand of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad by four days in a case related to a rally held in Islamabad in support of protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Duty Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar extended the physical remand after police produced the former Jamaat-e-Islami senator before the court upon the expiry of his previous remand.

The prosecution sought a 30-day physical remand, arguing that investigators required additional time to complete the probe and recover evidence linked to the case.

During the hearing, the investigating officer told the court that police had recovered “batons, loudspeakers and other equipment” allegedly used during the protest after the accused identified the items.

The officer further informed the court that investigators had also identified other suspects allegedly involved in the case and required additional time to complete the investigation.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted a four-day extension in Mushtaq Ahmad’s physical remand instead of the 30 days requested by the prosecution and directed police to produce him again on August 10.

Mushtaq alleges police mistreatment

Speaking before the court, Mushtaq Ahmad alleged that he had been mistreated while in police custody.

“I have even been imprisoned in Israeli jails and appeared before Israeli judges, but the police mistreated me,” he told the court.

His counsel, Habib Hanzala, argued that the case was politically motivated and questioned the basis of the prosecution’s allegations.

Referring to Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations, the lawyer said the entire country would wave the national flag on August 14 and questioned whether all citizens participating in such activities would also be arrested.

Background of the case

The case was registered at Shalimar Police Station after Mushtaq Ahmad and others organised a rally at F-10 Markaz in Islamabad in support of protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

On August 3, an anti-terrorism court had remanded Mushtaq Ahmad and co-accused Daniyal into police custody for three days after they were arrested in connection with the demonstration.

At the time, prosecutors had also sought a 30-day physical remand, arguing that investigators needed additional time to recover a vehicle and an allegedly illegal weapon linked to the case.

Mushtaq Ahmad has been a vocal supporter of the AJK protest movement, repeatedly calling for greater political and constitutional rights for the region.

The Islamabad rally took place amid heightened tensions in AJK, where supporters of the banned Azad Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (AAC) have staged prolonged demonstrations, sit-ins and road blockades over socio-economic grievances and election-related issues.

The unrest has led to violent clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in multiple casualties among civilians and law enforcement personnel.

Authorities in Islamabad have maintained heightened security measures in recent weeks to prevent the unrest from spreading to the federal capital, with restrictions imposed on public gatherings in several areas.