ATC grants bail to PTI's Sher Afzal Marwat in seven cases

Court also summoned police on December 10, ordering them to submit case records

Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat in seven different cases, setting the bail amount at Rs5,000 for each case.

Marwat, accompanied by his lawyer, appeared before the court in connection with cases registered during protests at D-Chowk last week.

During the hearing, the judge inquired about Marwat’s well-being, to which Marwat responded, saying, “Don’t ask. Many cases have been filed against me, and I have filed a petition in the High Court, which will be heard on Friday. You issued warrants for my arrest yesterday.”

The judge clarified that the order which included the warrants was related to remand, not arrest, and assured Marwat that the warrants had not yet been executed.

The PTI leader, visibly frustrated, explained that he was unaware of the exact number of cases filed against him. “We have already surrendered before the court,” he said, adding, “I have already approached the High Court, and this is what surrender means.”

The judge, however, disagreed, stating that “surrender” typically refers to seeking bail and applying for pre-arrest bail. He advised Marwat that if he believed the court’s orders were incorrect, he should approach the High Court.

Marwat's lawyer informed the court that they had already approached the High Court against all the cases, and a stay order had been obtained preventing arrest. The judge responded by saying, “If the orders are wrong, you can file an appeal.”

The PTI leader reiterated that he had approached the High Court three days earlier, but the police were still listing him as a “fugitive.” The judge remarked that since the charges included non-bailable sections, the police were not required to notify Marwat before making the arrest.

Marwat’s lawyer further pointed out that the court may have been misinformed regarding the stay order. “We obtained an order to stop any arrest, but perhaps you have been misinformed,” he said.

Marwat clarified that he had come to the court specifically to cancel the arrest warrants, but the judge responded that he could not cancel the warrants himself.

“You may be able to issue them, but not cancel them,” he said, expressing frustration. “I had no choice but to appear here; otherwise, I would not have.”

Ultimately, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra granted bail in seven cases, which included charges registered at various police stations, including Secretariat, Kohsar, Ramna, Tarnol, and Karachi Company. The court also summoned the police on December 10, ordering them to submit the case records.