- Following IHC’s orders, Interior Ministry directs release of PTI, PAT activists arrested for violating Section 144 and pillion riding ban
- Islamabad Police Acting IG Tahir Alam says those arrested under Section 144 are also involved in attack on Parliament, says he would request Islamabad District Magistrate to ensure their detainment for one month under Maintenance of Public Order
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Azam Swati and DJ Butt were released among others from police confinement Sunday whereas the Interior Ministry has also directed the release of all arrested PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers in line with Islamabad High Court’s order.
According to Swati’s counsel, the SP had not asked physical remand for Swati after which the magistrate ordered to send him to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
Swati’s counsel filed a petition seeking his release on bail. After completion of arguments, the magistrate ordered the release of the PTI leader after fixing a surety bond of Rs 100,000.
Talking to reporters following his release from jail on the orders of a local court, Swati said that all the arrested party workers have rendered sacrifices for “Naya Pakistan” and “these arrests could not weaken our passion”.
He welcomed the order of Islamabad High Court (IHC) for release of all the PTI workers, who were arrested for violating Section 144 and demanded that the government release all PTI workers in accordance with IHC’s order.
Earlier in the day, PTI had submitted a bail plea in the court of deputy magistrate for the release of Swati who was arrested by Islamabad Police for allegedly trying to stop law enforcers from performing their professional duties. Later, eight more sections were added to the FIR registered against Swati.
Meanwhile, DJ Butt– a PTI supporter who provides audio equipment and assistance to PTI’s rallies– was released from Adiala Jail Sunday on IHC’s orders. He had been arrested two days back from Islamabad merely for being part of the anti-government protest. On Saturday, the magistrate ordered to send DJ Butt to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand.
IHC ORDERS RELEASE ALL PILLION RIDERS, SECTION 144 VIOLATORS:
Meanwhile, IHC Chief Justice Anwar Kasi has ordered release of people arrested on the charges of violating pillion ridding ban and Section 144. Those arrested also include PTI and PAT workers.
As many as 650 workers were arrested on violation of the ban on pillion riding.
IHC CJ has also issued a notification to the government seeking its reply by September 17 on the decision to arrest protesters.
On Saturday a court in Islamabad sent about 100 arrested protestors to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand for allegedly vandalising state institutions, including the PTV building and violating Section 144.
Out of the hundred, 91 workers belong to PTI while the remaining are PAT workers.
Islamabad Police Acting IG Tahir Alam told reporters that the arrested workers were being released following the orders of IHC but added that those arrested under Section 144 were also involved in the attack on Parliament. Alam said he would request the Islamabad District Magistrate to ensure the detainment of those protesters for one month under the Maintenance of Public Order.
INTERIOR MINISTRY TO ABIDE BY IHC’S DECISION:
In Islamabad, the Interior Ministry on Sunday released a statement that they accept IHC’s decision regarding the release of PTI and PAT activists which were booked under Section 144.
The statement said that the ministry has issued instructions to the management and police to obey IHC orders adding that all the political prisoners will be released on surety submissions. The statement said that government respects independence of judiciary.
Meanwhile, Model Town Session Court Lahore has ordered the release of 52 PTI workers immediately. The workers were arrested under Section 144 and were presented before the court on Sunday. Earlier, they had been sent to jail on judicial remand.
After reviewing the accusations against the arrested workers, the court observed that the evidence against the workers was insufficient and they should be arrested again only if there was enough evidence against them.
