Islamabad Police rearrest PTI activists released by court

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police on Saturday allegedly rearrested dozens of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists who were earlier released by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad in a case pertaining to a ‘violent protest’ at D-Chowk area of the capital.

ATC Judge Abul Hasanat Zulqarnain had discharged 38 PTI activists, and sent 56 others to jail on judicial remand.

According to the police breakdown, 18 detainees belonged to the jurisdiction of Bani Gala police station, eight from Shahzad Town, 20 from Tarnol, and 10 from I-9. 

Investigating officers from these police stations had sought a 20-day physical remand from the court. However, ATC Judge rejected the request and ordered the suspects to be sent to jail on judicial remand. 

According to Dawn News, the suspects’ counsel, Ansar Kayani, informed the court about the rearrests shortly after they occurred.

The police’s actions effectively overturned the court order, and additional personnel were deployed outside the judicial complex. Media personnel were barred from entering the complex, with Station House Officer (SHO) Ashfaq Warraich reportedly warning that if any journalist crossed the “red line,” a similar case would be filed against them. Police also forcibly pushed media personnel away from the gate of the judicial complex.

Earlier, police had arrested 100 PTI protesters during the party’s march on the capital. Of those, 81 were discharged by ATC Judge Hasanat. The court released 54 accused from Khanna Police Station, 16 from I-9 Police Station, and 11 from Kohsar Police Station, while 48 accused from Kohsar Police Station were handed over to police on a two-day physical remand.

PTI advocate Fathullah Barki told reporters outside the judicial complex that around 100 party activists were still present in the complex’s corridor. He said the ATC judge had been informed about the police’s misbehavior with the activists and added that the party was awaiting further court orders.

May 9 cases: Eight PTI leaders declared proclaimed offenders

Earlier in the day, the ATC also declared eight absconding PTI leaders as proclaimed offenders in a case related to the burning of a container at Kalma Chowk on May 9.

The court, presided over by Judge Arshad Javed, issued perpetual arrest warrants for the absconding leaders, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Zubair Khan Niazi, Hamid Raza Gilani, Muhammad Javed, Abdul Samad, and Waseeq Qayyum.

The police informed the court that the accused had gone into hiding to evade arrest. Despite previously issued warrants, the suspects could not be apprehended. The court declared the PTI leaders as proclaimed offenders following a police request related to a case registered at Naseerabad Police Station.

The accused are alleged to have been involved in arson during the May 9 protests, which erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.