MNA-elect Ghulam Ahmad Bilour was accused of vandalizing women polling stations. Following this, a scuffle broke out between ANP and opposition party workers. PHOTO: FILE
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday granted interim bail before arrest to newly-elected member of National Assembly Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and nephew Haroon Bilour, who have been accused of vandalism in women polling stations during the by-polls in NA-1.
Justice Shah Jehan Akhunzada granted bail before arrest to both Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in return for Rs100,000 and two surety bonds. Both men have been asked to appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to secure further extension of the bail.
Representing the accused, advocates Abdul Latif Afridi and Ishtiaq Ibrahim informed the court the accused were charged on the day of re-polling (August 22) in Sheikhabad. The two ANP leaders have been accused of creating commotion and entering into a scuffle with opponent party workers, they added.
One of the counsels maintained bail can be granted in all sections under which they have been charged, with the exception of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. He, however, argued they were charged under Section 7 on political grounds. “Ghulam Bilour is an aged person who is 75 years old. He was present at home when the incident occurred, which means the allegations are leveled to defame him,” he said.
The counsels said Sheikhabad is a hub of ANP and Haroon Bilour successfully controlled agitated party workers, claiming he was still charged with arson and vandalism.
Outside the courtroom, Ghulam Bilour told journalists they have been framed for political motives and none of their workers fired a single shot on August 22. “PTI workers were witnessing their defeat so they started a scuffle with ANP workers and then charged them wrongly,” he said.
“We are going to talk to relevant officials to transfer the case from ATC to PHC due to certain reasons. The date for appearing before the court has not been fixed, but we hope the case will be transferable,” Advocate Ibrahim told reporters.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
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@Hashtnagharay: Dear i do not agree with you at all! Knowing that you are a disobedient party supporter all i can say you and samad mursaleen and his supporters failed pti for their power hunger self benefits on NA 1. You people had no right to harm your party by your foolish acts. One thing should be cleared that on may 11 it was the wave/sunami led by imran khan that made pti victorious at kpk not people like sammad mursaleen or whatevr. Allot of young unknown mpa's got elected in kpk on pti ticket. i hope you wake up soon n realise pti is not about individuals its about new just-full pakistan where people shall understand and enjoy the real freedom not salavery of 200 ruling families of pakitan aka status cuo! May Allah bless IK n give PTI more wisdom, strength n power to over come situations n conflicts wisley and shall succeed on there agenda! Naya pakistan inshallah
@Ahsan Kamil: What would you know? I saw the whole thing. During and prior to celebratory firing, obnoxious "PTI" supporters began cursing, pelting rocks and began firing their own weapons. They even confronted a group of people which included Ghulam Bilours daughter and young children who actually got hurt. Haroon Bilour actually tried to quell the situation but lost his temper after the incident. And by the way, I was campaigning for the PTI's Samad Mursaleen. All the people who organized and campaigned for Imran Khan were supporting Mursaleen. All the trouble makers were supporting Gul Bacha. They're using the PTI's good name to make it look like it was Bilour's fault, when in fact the fault really was the "PTI".
Celebrations cannot be justified by firing Weapons and Beating opponents. Justice Will Be Served! my dear Bilour's