Suspected banned group members get bail

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday confirmed the pre-arrest bail of two members of a banned organisation, including a woman, in a case related to arson and rioting.

ATC Judge Malik Abid Hussain announced the verdict, confirming the interim bail of Ruqayya Bibi and Kazim Ali.

The court directed both suspects to furnish surety bonds of Rs100,000 each. The suspects had appeared before the court for the hearing.

According to the prosecution, a case or arson and rioting had been registered against the suspects at Nawab Town police station last year.

The defence maintained that both suspects were innocent and requested the court to confirm their interim bail, which was granted.

In another case, the ATC acquitted one Muhammad Salman in a case of collecting funds and distributing hate literature on behalf of a banned organisation.

Judge Malik Abid Hussain announced the verdict upon completion of the trial, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish the allegations against the accused.

The case had been investigated by the Sheikhupura Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), which had submitted the challan before the court.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that the allegations levelled by the CTD were false and the accused had no affiliation with any banned organisation.