Interim bail of PML-N supporters confirmed

ATC orders accused to submit surety bonds of Rs500,000 each

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday confirmed interim bail granted to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders including member National Assembly (MNA) Parvaiz Malik, Ali Parvaiz Malik, Shaista Malik and others in Lahore NAB office clash case.

ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta heard the pre-arrest bail applications filed by more than 30 PML-N leaders and workers. While confirming the interim bail, the court ordered the accused to submit surety bonds of Rs500,000 each.

Earlier, the defence counsel argued that the accused were present outside the NAB office to express solidarity with PML-N Leader Maryam Nawaz but they were not involved in clashes with police that took place on August 11.

However, the prosecution opposed the plea and stated that it was a planned attack and the accused attempted to stop a state institution from performing its duties. He requested the court to dismiss the bail applications.

The accused were booked by the Chung police over clashes between the police and the PML-N supporters at the NAB offices in Lahore during appearance of Maryam Nawaz before an investigation team in connection with illegal transfer of 180 acres of land in Raiwind.

The PML-N workers threw stones at police officials and tried to break the barriers outside the NAB office as Maryam Nawaz reached NAB office. However, the police resorted to baton charge to disperse the infuriated crowd and arrested several protesters.

It is pertinent to mention here that the court had already confirmed interim bail granted to Rana Sanaullah, Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar and other party leaders in the case.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)