PTI leader gets protective bail to turn himself in

A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench has granted protective bail to a PTI minority leader till December 26 to surrender before the relevant court in the May 9 riots case after returning from abroad.

The bench, headed by Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry, issued the order after hearing an application for protective bail of Joel Amir, filed through his brother. The petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Asif Chattha contended that his client was present at Allama Iqbal International Airport at 4:00pm on May 9 and had left for Dubai at 7:20pm.

He implored the court that his client had been nominated in the in FIR through a supplementary statement on May 16.

Read ATC declares 15 PTI workers as POs 

He submitted that the petitioner was ready to join the investigation and provide documentary evidence to prove his innocence. The petitioner wanted to return to the country to face the trial but had the apprehension of his arrest at the airport, he contended.

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) dismissed post-arrest bail applications of PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid in two cases related to the May 9 violence, over non-prosecution.

Another ATC sought arguments from prosecution on a post-arrest bail application filed by Dr Rashid in a case of torching police vehicles.

An ATC granted bail to three accused in the Askari Tower attack case.

With additional input from APP

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2023.