Islamabad, December 14, 2024: Dozens of individuals discharged from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest case on November 26 by Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court have been re-arrested by the police.
The court’s judge, Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, had ordered the discharge of the accused, who had been sent for identification parades, and had warned the police not to handcuff the discharged individuals upon their re-arrest. Despite this, the police proceeded to re-arrest the discharged citizens, and defense lawyer Ansar Kiyani informed the court about the re-arrested individuals.
Ignoring the court’s order, the police deployed heavy security outside the Judicial Complex and imposed a media ban. Officers at the gates pushed journalists back, and Station House Officer (SHO) Ashfaq Waraich warned that media personnel would be arrested if they did not leave the area. Those who refused to comply would be detained immediately and face protest-related charges.
Meanwhile, PTI’s lawyer, Fatahullah Barki, spoke to the media outside the Judicial Complex, claiming that nearly 100 discharged protesters were present in the complex’s corridor. He informed the court about the police’s actions and said they were awaiting a ruling. Barki also stated that the police were re-arresting PTI workers, despite the judge’s instructions to arrest only those with warrants, as many of the workers had not been named in any cases. He warned the police not to defy the court’s decision, threatening to file a contempt of court petition.
It is noteworthy that more than 100 protesters who were sent for identification parades had been presented in the Anti-Terrorism Court. Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain discharged 81 of the accused. The court released 54 accused from Khanna Police Station, 16 from I-9 Police Station, and 11 from Kohsar Police Station, while it granted a two-day physical remand for 48 accused from Kohsar Police Station.
