PTI Protest: Dozens of Released Suspects Re-arrested by Islamabad Police

Re-arrests Defy Court Orders

On November 26, dozens of individuals discharged by Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest case were re-arrested by the police. Despite ATC Judge Abu Al-Hasnat Zulqarnain's orders against re-arresting them, the police took action, leading to significant controversy.

Court Orders and Police Actions

The suspects, initially sent for identification parades, were discharged under the judge's orders. However, the police re-arrested them, blatantly disregarding the directive. The suspects' lawyer, Ansar Kiani, informed the court about these re-arrests. Additional police personnel were deployed outside the Judicial Complex, and media access was restricted, with journalists being pushed back.

Media Restrictions and Warnings

Station House Officer (SHO) Ashfaq Warraich warned media personnel to leave the premises, threatening arrest for non-compliance and vowing to charge them under protest-related cases. Earlier, over 100 protesters sent to jail for identification parades had been presented before the ATC, with Judge Zulqarnain discharging 81 of them.

Discharged and Remanded Suspects

The court discharged 54 suspects from the Khanna police station, 16 from the I-9 station, and 11 from the Kohsar station. However, it handed over 48 suspects from Kohsar station to the police for two days of physical remand.

Background of the Protests

Following PTI’s protest in Islamabad, multiple cases under terrorism and other charges were filed against the party's founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and other PTI leaders and workers in various police stations across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Violent Demonstrations and Legal Actions

The protests on November 24 and subsequent violent demonstrations led to cases being registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Protesters were accused of damaging public and private property, blocking roads, and gathering illegal assemblies. On November 24, PTI supporters, led by Bushra Bibi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, marched from Peshawar to Islamabad demanding Imran Khan’s release.

Clashes and Injuries

By the evening of November 25, the protesters reached the outskirts of Islamabad. Clashes with police and law enforcement ensued the following day, leaving several protesters, police officers, and law enforcement personnel injured. On the night of November 26, Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Umar Ayub reportedly left the protesters via Haripur to Mansehra, prompting the participants to return to their homes.

Allegations and Government Response

Later, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, PTI General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, and Sardar Latif Khosa alleged that several deaths had occurred due to "alleged" firing by law enforcement personnel. However, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar rejected these claims, questioning the lack of evidence to support them.