ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati in a case filed under terrorism provisions.
The case, registered at Sangjani Police Station, charged Swati with terrorism-related offences following protests and vandalism.
Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Muhammad Zulkernain presided over the case and approved Swati’s post-arrest bail against surety bonds of Rs20,000. The PTI leader is currently in judicial custody.
Swati had been detained under terrorism clauses following allegations of inciting protests that led to property damage. Swati’s legal team maintained that the charges were politically motivated.
Meanwhile, an ATC ordered the publication of a newspaper advertisement against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the ongoing case related to vandalism charges during the so-called Azadi March yesterday.
The court has initiated proceedings under Section 87 of the Criminal Procedure Code to declare the K-P CM, Ali Amin Gandapur, a proclaimed offender.
The hearing was conducted by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abu Al-Hasnat Zulqarnain. The court summoned Ali Amin Gandapur through an advertisement to appear on November 21. It is noteworthy that the court has already issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Ali Amin Gandapur. Including CM Gandapur, around 350 PTI leaders and activists, including Azam Swati, Omar Ayub, and Barrister Saif, were charged with blocking GT Road and engaging in vandalism during the Azadi March. A total of 12 cases, including terrorism and attempted murder, have been registered across multiple police stations in Islamabad.
The FIR states that under the orders of Imran Khan and Ali Amin Gandapur, approximately 3,000 PTI workers marched to Srinagar Highway, armed and chanting anti-state slogans. –Agencies