The Superior Court of Islamabad ordered on Thursday the immediate release of more than 120 PTI workers who were arrested after the protest of November 26.
A bank of two judges, which is included in the president of the interim justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Judge Muhammad Asif, granted bail to the detainees.
The Court ordered them to submit an affidavit in their respective police stations, promising that they would not participate in similar actions in the future.
The audience saw a legal representation of Ali Bukhari, Babar Awan and Murtaza Tori, who advocated the release of the detainees.
The Court established a bond in RS20,000, which requires that each individual present a guarantee.
PTI workers were arrested in relation to the protests held on November 26, 2024, which led to government repression.
Last month, the petitions of mercy presented by 19 people convicted of their participation in the protests of May 9 were approved, public relations between services (ISPR) announced in a statement.
“Sequel to the promulgation of punishments to the convicts of the tragedy of May 9, have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy / remission in their punishments,” said the wing of military media.
The ISPR also said that a total of 67 convicts had presented petitions of mercy, with 48 of these requests processed to the appeal courts. He added that the requests of 19 convicts had been accepted “purely for humanitarian reasons, in accordance with the law.”
“Everyone will be released after completing the procedure formalities,” the statement continued.
The press release also mentioned that the requests for mercy on the remaining convicts would be decided in due time, after the legal process. He stressed that all convicted retain their right to appeal and pursue other legal resources according to the law and the Constitution.
“The referral of punishments is a testimony of the strength of due process and equity, which guarantees that justice is served and at the same time take into account the principles of compassion and mercy,” concluded the ISPR.
The following individuals have sent their punishments:
- Muhammad Ayaz, son of Sahibzada Khan
- Sami Ullah, son of Meer Dad Khan
- Laeeq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed
- Amjad Ali, son of Manzoor Ahmed
- Yasir Nawaz, son of Ameer Nawaz Khan
- Alam, son of Maaz Ullah Khan said
- Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Nabi
- Muhammad Suleman, son of said Ghani Jan
- Hamza Sharif, son of Muhammad Azam
- Muhammad Salman, son of Zahid Nisar
- Asher Butt, son of Muhammad Arshad Butt
- Muhammad Waqas, son of Malik Muhammad Khalil
- Sufayan idrees, son of idrees ahmed
- Muneeb Ahmed, son of Naveed Ahmed Butt
- Muhammad Ahmed, son of Muhammad Nazir
- Muhammad Nawaz, son of Abdul Samad
- Muhammad Ali, son of Muhammad Bota
- Muhammad Bilawal, son of Manzoor Hussain
- Muhammad Ilyas, son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem
In December 2024, the military courts sentenced 60 civilians to prison for their roles in violent attacks in military facilities during national disturbances on May 9, 2023.
The sentences occur a few days after the ISPR announced that 25 civilians had received prison mandates for their participation in the same events.
The Individuals Have Been Convicted for Their Involvement in Violent Attacks on Key Military and Government Facilities, Including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, The General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, The Isi Office in Faisalabad, and Bannu Cantt, Among Others, The Ispr fixed.
