An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad approved bail on Friday for 153 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested during a crackdown at D-Chowk on November 26. The workers were detained as law enforcement agencies dispersed protesters following Imran Khan’s “final call” for nationwide demonstrations on November 24. Khan demanded the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed supported a “dictatorial regime.”
Amnesty International urged a transparent investigation into the state’s use of force during the protest. The federal capital’s police chief reported over 1,400 arrests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
On January 3, an ATC granted bail to 250 arrested workers, while another 192 detainees in Jhelum district jail were released after their bail was approved on January 6.
During Friday’s hearing, presided over by ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain, bail applications for 177 workers were reviewed. Of these, 153 were granted bail, while 24 applications were rejected. PTI’s legal team included Ansar Kayani, Sardar Masroof Khan, Mirza Aslam Baig, Fataullah Burki, and Murtaza Turi.
The court decisions for various police stations were as follows:
- Karachi Company Police Station: Bail granted to 43 of 48 workers; five applications rejected.
- Tarnol Police Station: Two of seven granted bail; five rejected.
- I-9 Police Station: Bail granted to nine of 10 workers; one rejected.
- Kohsar Police Station (Case No. 1033): Bail approved for 28 workers; five rejected.
- Ramna Police Station: Bail granted to three of eight workers; five rejected.
- Secretariat Police Station: All 25 workers granted bail.
- Margalla Police Station: Bail approved for 42 of 45 workers; three rejected.
- Kohsar Police Station (Case No. 1032): One worker granted bail.
The court approved bail against Rs. 5,000 bonds for all released workers.
