IHC sets aside remand of PTI lawmakers

A two-member division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) set aside on Friday the order of an anti-terrorism court (ATC), granting eight-day physical remand of the lawmakers belong to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The bench, led by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and also included Justice Suman Rifat Imtiaz, heard the petitions of the PTI members of the National Assembly, who were arrested from the Parliament House following a party rally in Sangjani on September 8.

During the hearing, the chief justice wondered the ATC granted the remand despite ridiculous allegations against the PTI lawmakers. The bench sent the PTI MNAs to judicial custody, which meant that they could now apply for bail.

The chief justice remarked that the "story" concocted in the case was interesting and could be used as plot for a movie. On some occasion, there were laughters were heard in the courtroom as the Islamabad prosecutor general read the charges against the accused.

The chief justice remarked that the author of the first information report (FIR) in the case must be credited for creating "a good comedy after a long time". The prosecutor pointed out that the accused made anti-state speeches in the PTI rally. The chief justice said that everyone had the right to fair trial.

The lawyer for the PTI lawmakers informed the bench that they had applied for bail in the anti-terrorism court, but their pleas were not heard. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said that until the state's reply came, the court would issue a short order to provide them relief.

The chief justice also said that there was a separate petition against the police raid at parliament which would be taken up next week. He said that the National Assembly speaker was fulfilling his responsibilities but the court could look into this matter also.

The chief justice said mentioned that the police entered the parliament to arrest its members. He underscored that the sanctity of every institution must be maintained. "Parliament is the mother of all institutions," the chief justice said.

At least 10 MNAs were arrested and sent on physical remand over their alleged role in violence at the Sept 8 Sangjani rally - namely Sher Afzal Marwat, Malik Amir Dogar, Ahmed Chattha, Zain Qureshi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Zubair Khan Wazir, Awais Haider Jakhar, Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah, Nasim Ali Shah and Yousuf Khan Khattak.