An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has released 38 individuals arrested in connection with last month’s D-Chowk protest, while 50 others have been sent on judicial remand.
The protests were sparked after PTI founder Imran Khan issued a “final call” on November 13 for nationwide demonstrations scheduled for November 24. The demands included restoring PTI’s electoral mandate, releasing detained party members, and overturning the 26th Amendment, which Khan claimed bolstered a “dictatorial regime.”
The protests culminated in clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement across Islamabad. The unrest resulted in six fatalities, including a policeman and three Rangers officials struck by a speeding vehicle. Both the government and PTI have made conflicting claims regarding deaths allegedly caused by law enforcement actions.
Following the protests, over 1,400 party supporters were arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Islamabad High Court criticized the arbitrary nature of some arrests. Several cases were filed against PTI leaders and workers during the subsequent crackdown.
ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain presided over hearings for the suspects. For the 56 presented in court, police sought a 20-day remand, claiming further investigations were needed. However, defense lawyer Ansar Kayani argued that suspects were arrested preemptively, stating the police had no grounds for recovery. The court rejected the remand request, ordering 50 suspects to be sent on judicial remand and releasing six, with a warning to police against rearresting them.
In separate cases involving 36 individuals, police sought a 30-day remand but admitted no identification parade was conducted. The judge ordered their release and strongly reprimanded the police for procedural lapses.
Additionally, three teenagers aged 14, 16, and 17.5 years were granted bail in a related case by the ATC, which expressed frustration with delays in producing required records.
