Islamabad ATC grants bail to Mushtaq Ahmad, 95 others over AJK protest

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday granted post-arrest bail to former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and 95 others in a case registered over a protest concerning Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in Islamabad’s Sector F-10.

ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail applications, while prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani appeared on behalf of the prosecution. Defence lawyers, including Sardar Masroof, Zahid Bashir Dar and Amina Ali, represented the suspects.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved bail for all 96 suspects against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each. 

The case was registered at Shalimar Police Station under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the protest.

Ahmad was initially detained on July 30 after security personnel stopped him from entering Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His team alleged that he was held for more than 24 hours because he supported the ongoing protests in the region.

After his release, Ahmad returned to Islamabad and announced the gathering at F-10 Markaz, inviting the public, student organisations, journalists and Kashmiris living in the capital. In a video message, he said the event would be a gathering for “sympathy, affection, peace and reconciliation” for Kashmir.

The gathering later led to the registration of a case at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station against Ahmad and other protesters.

According to the FIR, registered on July 31 on the complaint of police officer Ghulam Murtaza, the protesters had gathered at F-10 Markaz and allegedly blocked roads, resisted police and created a law-and-order situation.

Read: Islamabad ATC extends former senator Mushtaq Ahmad's physical remand by four days

The FIR named Ahmad among the accused and alleged that his speeches had contributed to the crowd’s actions and that protesters had resisted police attempts to clear the area.

The case included Sections 324, 395, 342, 341, 427/440, 506(ii), 109, 188, 353, 186, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, as well as Sections 2/3 of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Police alleged in the FIR that the protesters had continued their activities despite attempts by law-enforcement personnel to control the situation.

The accused were initially granted three days’ physical remand on August 3 after the court rejected the prosecution’s request for 30 days. The remand was later extended by four days on August 6.

Prosecutors had argued that investigators needed further custody to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly linked to the case.

Ahmad had previously drawn nationwide attention after being detained by Israeli forces while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission carrying food and medicine to Gaza.

Leading a five-member Pakistani delegation, his detention prompted widespread concern in Pakistan, with the Foreign Office saying it had worked "tirelessly" to secure his safe evacuation through Pakistan's embassy in Jordan. After his release, he returned to Islamabad to a hero's welcome, where he was received by supporters at the airport.