A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended till June 28 the interim bails of top Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders in a case related to alleged violations of Section 144 and attacks on law enforcement agencies on May 25 – the day PTI workers marched to Islamabad.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Dr. Nosheen Hamid, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Andleeb Abbas, Sadia Sohail Rana and other PTI leaders and workers reached the ATC.
During the proceedings, the PTI’s counsel told the court that the police registered cases against his clients but did not inform them why they were booked.
The counsel said that they wanted the police’s version so they could argue the case at a later stage.
In response, an investigation officer told the court that many PTI leaders and workers had still not joined the investigation. He asked the court to direct the PTI leaders to cooperate with the police.
ATC Judge Abher Gull Khan directed the PTI leaders to join the police investigation and extended their bails till June 28.
Later, talking to the reporters, the PTI leaders condemned the Punjab government as well as the unity government in the centre. They said the cases against them were baseless as their cars and properties were damaged and despite all that cases were registered.
“This is clear and open injustice,” said Dr. Yasmin Rashid while referring to the damage she and other PTI leaders suffered on the day of long march and the registration of cases against them.
Rashid’s car was damaged on May 25 when she was trying to leave for Islamabad on her Imran Khan’s call.
Dr. Rashid said they would not hesitate from continuing their political struggle. She also condemned the unity government, especially Rana Sanaullah for being behind the cases against them.
The police had earlier booked the PTI leaders under 7ATA and other sections of Pakistan Penal Code over charges of attacking police personnel and damaging properties on the day of long march.
