Islamabad court bans arrests till May 21 in over 230 cases related to Sangjani rally and demonstrations
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), attend a protest demanding Khan’s release, 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 over 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 sides to present their arguments in the next hearing. Multiple cases have been registered against PTI leaders at Tarnol, Ramna, Aabpara and Secretariat police stations, among others.
Read: ATC expedites hearings of PTI protest cases
The November 26 protests were sparked by a call by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for a “life or death” sit-in in Islamabad. Thousands of supporters marched towards 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 break through barricades and enter the capital’s high-security Red Zone, leading to clashes with police and paramilitary forces, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
The case has a long history as an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi sentenced 82 PTI workers to four months in prison and fined them Rs 15,000 each after they pleaded guilty to participating in violent protests on November 26, 2024, which left three Rangers staff and a policeman dead.
The accused admitted that they were incited by party leaders, sought clemency and pledged 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, ordering that the trial be concluded within four months.
