ATC discharges 11 PTI workers in Sangjani Jalsa case

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday discharged 11 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested in connection with the Sangjani Jalsa case, raising serious questions over the conduct of the police investigation.

The accused were produced before ATC Judge Abul Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain after completing a four-day physical remand. However, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the probe.

“What investigation has the police conducted so far?” the judge asked during proceedings. “I don’t understand what the police are doing. What is the IG Islamabad doing?”

Following his remarks, the judge ordered the discharge of all 11 PTI workers from the case due to lack of evidence.

Despite the discharge in the ATC case, the same PTI workers were also handed six-month sentences under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (PAPO) Act earlier in the day.