Court suspends PTI workers’ sentences under PAPO Act

ISLAMABAD: A sessions court in the federal capital on Saturday suspended the sentences handed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers under the Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 (PAPO Act).

The court also approved the bail applications of the PTI workers, accepting surety bonds worth Rs20,000 each. The decision was announced by Judicial Magistrate Ahmed Shehzad Gondal following the hearing on the bail pleas. The PTI workers had been booked in two separate cases registered at Islamabad’s Ramna Police Station in connection with public demonstrations.

The convictions under the PAPO Act were challenged by the defence, citing procedural irregularities and arguing that the sentences were disproportionate.

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On July 18, the lower court had reserved its verdict in the first two cases filed under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order (PAPO) Act against PTI workers accused of disrupting public order during a protest on November 26, 2022.

The trial, held before Judicial Magistrate Ahmad Shehzad Gondal, concluded against eight accused individuals, while more than 70 others named in the cases have been declared absconders. Both cases were registered at the Ramna Police Station under the PAPO Act, which was introduced to regulate public gatherings in the capital without prior permission. The proceedings faced multiple delays due to the absence of PTI lawyers, with state counsels appointed twice before their appointments were later set aside on appeal. A total of 25 prosecution witnesses recorded statements, 12 in one case and 13 in the other. The court is expected to announce its verdict on July 23.