Ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmad, 95 others granted bail in Kashmir protest case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday granted post-arrest bail to all 96 people including former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad arrested in connection with a case registered over a protest concerning unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain approved the bail applications against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each.

The case was registered at the Shalimar Police Station on July 31 under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act and other relevant laws following a protest held in Islamabad’s Sector F-10 in connection with the situation in Kashmir.

Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad, Razi Tahir and other accused were among those granted bail.

Judge Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the bail applications of the 96 arrested protesters.

Public Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared on behalf of the prosecution, while lawyers Sardar Bushik, Zahid Bashir Dar and Amina Ali represented the accused. Advocate Imran Shafiq also appeared on behalf of Mushtaq Ahmad and Razi Tahir.

During the proceedings, the judge remarked that he had been waiting to see what had happened in the Islamabad High Court, and also advised the lawyers not to arrive late.

The court subsequently accepted the bail applications of all 96 accused.

What does the FIR allege?

According to the FIR registered at the Shalimar Police Station, former senator Mushtaq Ahmad led a gathering of around 400 to 500 protesters in Sector F-10 on July 31.

The FIR alleged that Mushtaq delivered what police described as “incendiary” speeches over loudspeakers and that the protesters forced shops to close.

It further alleged that slogans were raised against “current government institutions”.

According to the police account, Mushtaq led the protesters towards Sambal Road with the stated intention of marching towards Jinnah Avenue Road and blocking roads.

The district administration, according to the FIR, attempted to stop the gathering through a loudspeaker announcement, informing the protesters that the demonstration was being held without a no-objection certificate (NOC) and asking them to disperse.

The protesters allegedly continued their march.

Alleged road blockade, vandalism

The FIR stated that the protesters later blocked a main road near Shalimar Plaza at around 7:10pm.

Police have alleged that some participants vandalised a media DSNG vehicle and damaged other private vehicles.

The FIR also accused the protesters of pelting stones at police personnel and “attacking” officials deployed at the scene.

Some protesters allegedly snatched anti-riot helmets from police personnel and threatened them, according to the FIR.

The allegations have not been established by a court.

Mushtaq’s earlier physical remand

The former senator had earlier been handed over to police on a three-day physical remand on August 3 in the same case.

At that stage, the prosecution had sought a 30-day physical remand, arguing that investigators needed time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly connected with the case.

The court, however, granted a three-day physical remand. His physical remand was extended on August 6.

With Monday’s order, Mushtaq Ahmad and the other 95 accused have now been granted post-arrest bail in the case.