An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday accepted the post-arrest bail applications of 52 PTI workers, who had been arrested in connection with acts of vandalism and arson during the November 26th protest, in lieu of bail bonds of Rs5,000 each, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
As per the written order issued by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, the suspects were not nominated in the FIR, and once the investigation was completed, they were sent to jail on judicial remand.
He further wrote that prima facie the petitioner’s roles in the November 26th protest needed to be investigated further.
“According to their lawyer, his clients have nothing to do with what happened on that day,” the judge wrote, adding, “But as per the prosecutor, the suspects were involved in crimes of heinous nature and had been identified by the witnesses.”
But the prosecutor, the judge went on to say, had failed to satisfy the court. “There is no likelihood of these persons creating law and order situation in the future.”
The court ordered the release of all 52 prisoners.
Reporter: Hashir Warraich