ISLAMABAD: As many as 73 detained men who had been detained during the 20-day Faizabad sit-in staged by religious parties in Islamabad have been released by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday.
ATC judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the bail applications of the detained protesters, following which 73 protesters were released while the judicial remand of 47 others was extended.
The 47 accused have been shifted to Adiala Jail.
In addition, the court ordered the released protesters to submit surety bonds worth Rs10,000.
Out of the 73 released protesters, 41 were detained at Aabpara police station, 16 at Khanna police station and 16 at I-9 police station.
The police authorities had started releasing arrested protesters on Monday after the sit-in had been called off following successful negotiations between the government and the protesting religious parties.
Punjab Rangers DG Maj Gen Azhar ensured the release of religious activists and distributed Rs1, 000 among the released protesters as fare for travel.
After the weeks-long protest which had virtually brought the federal capital to a complete halt, the authorities on Saturday finally launched an operation to retrieve Faizabad intersection from Tehreek-e-Labbaik protesters. However, the police action only multiplied the government’s problems amid a worsening law and order situation in Islamabad and other cities.
The protesters, led by cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, stated they would continue the sit-in until former Law Minister Zahid Hamid – who they blamed for the recent controversy surrounding changes in the Khatm-e-Nabuwat clause in the oath of office – was removed from his post.
With the government appearing bereft of solutions in the face of countrywide protests by religious zealots over the Khatam-e-Nabuwwat clause fiasco, Hamid on Sunday evening decided to give in to their demand by resigning as the country’s law minister. The subsequent ‘successful negotiations’ with leaders of the demonstration late Sunday night led to the calling off of the weeks’ long Faizabad sit-in.
Six people were killed and hundreds injured during the operation. As per the agreement, a blanket immunity was provided to all those arrested during the police crackdown.