Courts order completing arguments on bail pleas filed by PTI chairman, others
Pakistan
Cases are being heard in Islamabad and Lahore
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE (Dunya News/Web Desk) – A local court in the federal capital on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of bail pleas filed by the PTI in six different cases till the 31st of this month.
Directing the defence to complete their arguments on the next hearing, Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra also accepted an application filed by the PTI chairman’s counsel – Barrister Umair Niazi and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry – to exempt their client to appear in person on Tuesday.
The PTI chairman is currently imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail where a special court has been hearing the cipher case due to security concerns.
Earlier on Aug 15, the same bail pleas were dismissed after the defence failed to pursue the same. However, the Islamabad High Court later decided in favour of the PTI chairman, directing the lower judiciary to hear the applications after the defence challenged their cancellation.
And in Lahore, an anti-terrorism court directed the prosecution and the special prosecutor to present their arguments on the bail applications filed by 24 accused, including PTI leader Dar Yasmin Rashid, in the Askari Tower attack case.
It is one of several cases registered against the PTI leaders and workers in connection with the countrywide violence exhibited by the party after their chairman was arrested in Islamabad on May 9.
During Monday’s hearing, the ATC judge – Arshad Javed – asked the prosecution to complete the arguments. However, it was replied that it wasn’t possible due to non-availability of record as the prosecution sought more time for the purpose.
Apart from Dr Rashid, other accused including Sadaqat Hussain, Rafique Khan and Aizaz Rafique are seeking bail in the case registered with the Ghalib Market (Gulberg) Police Station.
