ISLAMABAD, July 10, 2023: Several courts in Islamabad on Monday extended till July 19 interim bail of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in 11 cases registered against him in the federal capital.
Two cases were registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act against the PTI chairman in the Khanna police station and one was registered in Bahra Kahu police station.
The investigating officer told the court that the suspect had joined the investigation process in these cases. The prosecutor said the suspect had made a tweet on the day of the incident.
Lawyer Salman Safdar said the cases were registered against the PTI chairman for burning tyres. The investigation of the three cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act was completed the previous day.
Judge Abul Hasnat remarked that courts were not there only to grant bails. He further remarked, “If the suspect is innocent, justice should be dispensed. The investigation should be timely and comprehensive. We are here to save the country.”
The judge said the court did not support anyone. The prosecution should conduct a comprehensive investigation to ensure justice.
Later, the Anti-Terrorism Court of Islamabad extended interim bail of the PTI chairman till July 19 in three cases.
On the other hand, Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra conducted hearing of six cases against the PTI chairman and one case against his wife Bushra Bibi in Islamabad’s sessions court.
The judge asked the lawyer “will you advance final arguments today?” Lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat said he would give arguments but before that he wanted to attend the proceedings in the high court.
As the legal team tried to take the PTI chairman out of the courtroom, the judge stopped them. The judge asked what hearing date was given to the PTI chairman in other cases.
The lawyer said July 19 had been fixed as next date of hearing in other cases. “Praying for you, make us feel happy by giving the date of July 19,” the PTI lawyer said.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while extending the interim bail to the PTI chairman till July 19, said if the suspect did not join investigation, he would pronounce the decision at the next hearing date.
Separately, Additional Sessions Judge Farrukh Farid Baloch conducted hearing of the two cases registered against the PTI chairman in the Shahzad Town police station.
The court granted interim bail to the suspect till July 19 in these cases as well.