Islamabad: An Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday granted pre arrest bail to four Pakistan Tehreek i Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, in cases registered over the November 26 protest and a demonstration outside the Supreme Court.
ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain approved bail applications filed by Qaiser, Atif Khan, Latif Khosa and Faisal Amin Gandapur after hearing arguments from their lawyers. The court directed each leader to submit surety bonds worth Rs5000.
Under the court order, Qaiser secured bail in nine cases, Gandapur in six, Atif Khan in four, and Khosa in three.
The four leaders had previously lost their pre-arrest bail protection after repeatedly failing to appear before the court. Their lawyers later submitted fresh applications, which the court accepted after Monday's hearing.
The cases stem from PTI's protest activities, including the November 26, 2024, demonstration in Islamabad, when party supporters gathered to demand the release of former prime minister Imran Khan. The protest resulted in confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement personnel, followed by arrests and legal proceedings against PTI members.
Pre-arrest bail provides protection from arrest while legal proceedings continue. The latest ruling does not determine the leaders' guilt or innocence, and the cases remain subject to judicial proceedings.
IHC to hear petition seeking meeting with Imran Khan
In a related development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled a hearing for November 5 on a petition filed by members of the National Dialogue Committee (NDC), seeking permission to meet Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, at Adiala jail. Justice Umer Majid Malik will take up the petition, which remains pending alongside objections raised by the court's Registrar's Office.
The petition was submitted through lawyer Faisal Fareed Chaudhry on behalf of former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, Mahmood Baqi Molvi and Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif. The interior secretary, Punjab home secretary and superintendent of Adiala jail have been named as respondents.
The petitioners are seeking judicial intervention to obtain access to the incarcerated PTI founder and his wife. The hearing will address the petition and associated procedural objections.
The two proceedings concern separate legal matters affecting PTI: criminal cases arising from its protest activities and a request for access to its imprisoned leadership. The ATC's decision allows the four leaders to remain protected from arrest in the specified cases, while the IHC has yet to decide the request for a jail meeting.
