PTI leader's bail extended by ATC

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Muhammad Ahmad Chattha till September 19 in four separate cases, including the Jinnah House attack and Shadman Police Station arson.

ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill presided over the proceedings. Chattha appeared before the court following the expiry of his earlier bail period.

The judge summoned the complete case record from the prosecution and directed the defence to present arguments at the next hearing.

Chattha has sought bail in several cases, including the attack on Jinnah House, arson at Shadman Police Station, and setting fire to police vehicles in Zaman Park. In a separate hearing, the ATC dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of PTI leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed in a case related to vandalism and provocative speeches during the May 9 protests near Sherpao Bridge.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed dismissed the plea after the petitioner's counsel requested to withdraw the application.

The case was registered at Sarwar Road Police Station and pertains to allegations of delivering inflammatory speeches and participating in acts of vandalism during the protests.

Money laundering case

The ATC confirmed the interim bail of a female bank officer, Sanam Shaukat, in a case involving money laundering, terror financing, and the opening of illegal bank accounts.

Presiding over the hearing, Judge Manzer Ali Gill directed the accused to submit surety bonds worth Rs. 100,000.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Sanam Shaukat and several other bank officials allegedly facilitated illegal financial transactions for individuals associated with banned outfits, including those listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.