PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen granted bail by anti-terrorism court
PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen. PHOTO: FILE
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has granted bail to PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, ordering his immediate release, while the bail applications of other PTI leaders were postponed due to the absence of the relevant judge.
The bail hearing of PTI leaders Sher Afzal Marwat, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Shoaib Shaheen, and others took place before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra. PTI MNAs were represented by lawyers Riasat Ali Azad and Adil Qazi.
The court inquired about Shoaib Shaheen’s physical remand, to which the lawyer responded, "Shaheen was remanded for eight days, but the remand was suspended on the same day. He, along with other assembly members, remains in jail."
Judge Sipra summoned the prosecution and the case record from Sangjani police station, after which a brief adjournment was called. Following the break, the investigation officer presented the record in court.
Since the prosecutor was not present, Judge Sipra stated, "The hearing for Sher Afzal Marwat, Saeed Shah, and Waqas Akram’s bail will be conducted by the relevant judge, but I will rule on Shoaib Shaheen’s bail today."
PTI lawyer Riasat Ali Azad pointed out discrepancies in the case, saying, "While Shaheen is accused of carrying a pistol, only a baton was recovered. The FIR mentions assaulting a police officer, but no medical certificate is attached."
Judge Sipra asked about the recovery of the baton, to which the lawyer replied, "Yesterday, before the Islamabad High Court, the investigating officer confirmed the recovery of a baton from Shaheen."
The court granted Shoaib Shaheen bail against a surety of Rs100,000 and ordered his immediate release.
The hearing for other PTI leaders’ bail applications was adjourned until Monday at 9am.
Judge Tahir Sipra is currently presiding over jail trials at Adiala Prison in place of ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who is on leave. As a result, delays or postponements in hearings for the PTI leaders' bail applications are likely due to the absence of the designated judge.