ATC gives Zartaj Gul bail in 13 cases

RAWALPINDI. Judge Malik Ijaz Asif of Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) No. 1 of Rawalpindi Monday approved interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Zartaj Gul in 13 cases of violent protests, held against arrest of the PTI founder, and attacks on the government properties and police personnel, vandalism and arson.

The court also directed the police not to arrest former climate change minister till April 17.

The court approved interim bail of the PTI leader in all cases and ordered her to submit a personal bond of Rs50,000 per case.

The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, former members of provincial assembly Umar Tanveer Butt, Taimur Masood and Javed Kausar, and a party activist Zohaib Khan Afridi.

The court conducted hearing against a total of 59 accused including Sadaqat Abbasi, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Rashid Shafiq. The court adjourned hearing till April 23, later on.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Rashid Shafiq were present in the court. The court was supposed to distribute copies of the charge sheet among the accused, but did not do so due to absence of some PTI leaders.

Later on, Zartaj Gul told the media that 13 cases had been registered against her in Rawalpindi division. She said even if 1,300 cases were registered against here, she would not give up her association with the PTI and its founding chairman.