Courts receive thousands of bail pleas

As Ramazan reaches its halfway mark, courts in Rawalpindi are witnessing a surge in bail applications from detainees hoping to spend Eid with their families.

By March 17 (16th Ramadan), a total of 2,177 bail petitions had been filed, including 973 in the Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench and 1,224 in 72 district and special courts. So far, 329 accused have been granted bail.

According to court sources, 30 to 50 bail applications are being submitted daily. The High Court's three division benches and six single benches have decided to hear all pending bail cases on a priority basis, warning lawyers against unnecessary delays.

Additionally, district and session judges in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, and Jhelum will visit jails before Eid to facilitate the release of detainees held for minor, bailable offenses.

The surge in bail applications has also proven lucrative for lawyers, who are charging hefty fees for filing petitions. Each year, courts show leniency during Ramadan and Eid, prompting detainees to push for their release ahead of the holiday. This year, over 5,000 bail decisions are expected before Eid.