Hearings on pre-arrest bail petitions filed by three Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Members of the National Assembly, (MNA), including Asif Khan, Sajid Khan Mohammad and one other, in the November 26 D-Chowk protest case, were heard on Monday in the anti-terrorism court in Islamabad.
All three bail pleas were rejected by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra due to the fact that the petitioners did not present themselves in court.
On November 13, PTI chairman Imran Khan made a “final call” for nationwide protests to be held on November 24, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of imprisoned party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed had empowered a “dictatorial regime.”
The protest was held in D-Chowk, Islamabad, where people travelled from different provinces to honour Khan’s call. The state had rejected any room for negotiation and an operation was conducted against the protestors, and the PTI leadership fled the scene. The protest ended with the operation on November 26.
On November 25, a policeman was killed during clashes with protesters at the Jandial checkpoint near Taxila, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters continued to push through roadblocks and barricades on major highways to advance towards Islamabad.
Constable Muhammad Mubashir (46), who had come from Muzaffargarh to assist the Rawalpindi police, sustained critical injuries during the clashes and was shifted to DHQ Rawalpindi, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Cases charged
In Nasirabad Police Station, there is a case of firing, vandalism and a constable’s murder. In New Town Police Station, there are two cases filed against Khan for vandalism, rioting, arson and siege.
In the Sadiqabad Police Station, one case is filed for vandalism and rioting. In this case, Aleema Khan is also nominated as an accused and is currently on pre-arrest interim bail.
Similarly, protest-related cases are also registered at the Civil Lines Police Station, Taxila Police Station, and Waris Khan Police Station.
There are a total of 29 cases filed in Rawalpindi District related to the D-Chowk protest. Khan has been accused of seven, whereas his wife, Bushra Bibi, has been charged under all 29.
In these 29 cases, bail has already been granted to a total of 1,383 accused persons. Among them are Ali Amin Gandapur, Azam Swati, Salar Kakar and Salman Akram Raja; in these 26 cases, the entire central leadership of PTI is nominated as accused.
All the accused were arrested on November 24, 25, 26 and 27, while the bail approvals began six months later, starting from May of this year, and were completed by July 31.
On November 24, police registered cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, senior PTI leader Dr. Arif Alvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, and hundreds of senior PTI lawmakers, leaders, and workers across Punjab over violent protests.
The FIRs were filed under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Imran Khan’s bail petitions in seven cases related to the November 26 incidents were filed by his lawyers. In these cases, Khan was formally arrested and sent to judicial custody.
