Islamabad court bars arrests till May 21 in over 230 cases linked to Sangjani rally and demonstrations
Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party take part in a protest demanding the release of Khan, in Islamabad, Pakistan November 26, 2024. REUTERS
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in more than 230 cases related to the November 26 Sangjani rally, protests outside the Supreme Court and other demonstrations.
ATC judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain, who heard the case, also ordered the authorities not to arrest the PTI leaders until May 21.
PTI leaders including Umer Niazi, Raoof Hasan and Azam Swati appeared before the court. The court ordered both parties to present arguments at the next hearing. Several cases have been registered against the PTI leaders at Tarnol, Ramna, Aabpara and Secretariat police stations, among others.
Read: ATC maintains PTI protest case hearings
The November 26 protests were sparked by a call by former prime minister Imran Khan and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for a “do-or-die” sit-in in Islamabad. Thousands of supporters marched on the capital demanding the release of jailed PTI leaders, including Khan, and the resignation of the government over alleged fraud in the 2024 general elections.
The demonstrations turned violent as protesters attempted to breach barricades and enter the capital’s high-security red zone, leading to clashes with police and paramilitary forces, resulting in several deaths and injuries.
The case has a long history when an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi sentenced 82 PTI workers to four months in jail and fined them Rs 15,000 each after they pleaded guilty to participating in violent protests on November 26, 2024, which left three Rangers personnel and a policeman dead.
The accused admitted they were instigated by the party leadership, sought leniency and vowed not to join future protests, while the Supreme Court separately granted bail to PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and Farhat Abbas in the May 9 cases, directing the completion of the trial within four months.
