Islamabad High Court grants bail to 23 PTM activists

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court granted bail on Monday to the 23 activists held in detention after they protested against the arrest of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the bail please of 23 PTM supporters who were arrested for staging a protest in Islamabad against PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen’s arrest.

The protesters were charged under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (assault on public servant), 147 (rioting), 149 (being member of unlawful assembly), 505-A (defaming Army), 505-B (public mischief), 124-A (sedition), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 186 (obstructing public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Justice Minallah also ordered their release. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat and IG Aamir Zulfiqar Khan were summoned to the hearing, but the IG was on leave so he was represented by the Islamabad DIG.

On this occasion, Justice Athar Minallah said such behaviour was not expected of the deputy commissioner and incumbent government. “Have you read the FIR? On what basis were terrorism charges added?” asked Justice Minallah.

Have you read the Supreme Court verdict in which it defined terrorism, he asked. The court then addressed the DIG and said he is a representative of the State and its job is to safeguard the people.

“How can you doubt the patriotism of an individual”, the judge asked. He directed Shafqat and the IG to sit together and look into the matter and submit the report in the next hearing in the coming week, the judge ordered.