ATC extends interim bail of Bushra, Gohar, Omar among 161 PTI leaders

ISLAMABAD: The anti-terrorism court (ATC) of Judge Tahir Abbas Supra Monday extended the interim bail of 161 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers, including Bushra Bibi, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, in cases related to November 26 protest.

During the hearing of pre-arrest bail applications, several prominent PTI figures appeared before the court, including Senator Falak Naz Chitrali, MNAs Sajid Khan, Asif Khan, Fazal Muhammad Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Abdul Latif, Latif Khosa, Umair Niazi, former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Rauf Hassan, Niazullah Niazi, Nadia Khattak, Shoaib Shaheen, Ali Bukhari, Raja Basharat, and others.

Bushra Bibi filed exemption applications in 10 cases, while similar requests were submitted by MPA Ali Shah, Salman Akram Raja, Mashal Azam, Zartaj Gul, and Shehryar Afridi.

Judge Supra noted that the challans (charge sheets) in all related cases had been submitted to the court. Advocate Ali Bukhari informed the court that most of the accused were granted interim bail on June 24 last year, and added that some co-accused had already been discharged based on CCTV evidence. He urged the court to direct the investigating officers to ensure uniform treatment of all accused rather than selectively pursuing individuals.

Senior lawyer Latif Khosa stated that he had joined the investigation and submitted relevant records, clarifying that he was present in the National Assembly when the FIR was filed against him.

Advocate Sher Afzal Marwat, expressing frustration with repeated delays, stated, “I’m tired of waiting for court dates. Either grant us bail or send us to jail. Even passing by a police station has become a crime.” He also sought exemption from the next hearing due to planned travel to the UK.

Judge Supra quipped, “You may go to the UK, but we’ve closed advance bookings,” prompting laughter in the courtroom.

The court extended the interim bail and barred the arrest of the PTI leaders until June 24, adjourning the hearing until the same date. The PTI leaders are facing charges in 10 cases registered at Kohsar, Margalla, Aabpara, and Secretariat police stations in connection with the November 26 protest.