Nov 26 protest: 52 PTI workers granted bail to be released

Islamabad: The Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad has granted bail to 52 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in cases related to vandalism and other charges during the November 26 protest.

The ATC Islamabad granted post-arrest bail to PTI workers on surety bonds of Rs5,000 each and ordered the release of 52 accused on bail.

Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain of the Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad issued a written decision. The decision said that as per the record, the petitioners were not named in the First Information Report (FIR). The petitioners were sent to jail on judicial remand after the investigation was completed. Prima facie, there is a case for further inquiry against the accused.

According to the decision, the charges against the accused can be framed only after recording the evidence. According to the counsel for the accused, the accused could not be linked to the case. The prosecutor opposed the bail, saying that the accused were involved in a heinous crime. According to the prosecutor, the accused were identified by witnesses in the identification parade.

The prosecution failed to satisfy the court that the accused would not comply with the bail conditions. It is unlikely that the accused would attempt to disrupt the justice system. Higher courts have held that bail cannot be rejected as a punishment. The court ordered the release of all 52 accused on bail.