RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) approved bail for Shoaib Shaheen, a lawyer affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday, facilitating his release the Adiala Jail.
The ruling emerges amidst a series of legal hurdles confronting various PTI officials, whose bail requests were deferred due to the unavailability of the presiding judge.
Read more: Terrorists in KP “exploit” PUBG for coordination, authorities say
The bail proceeding for Shoaib Shaheen alongside fellow PTI leaders Sher Afzal Marwat and Sheikh Waqas Akram, were conducted under the authority of ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sapra.
The legal representatives for the PTI leader, Riasat Ali Azad and Adil Qazi, presented their case during the session.
Throughout the hearing, the court sought clarification regarding Shaheen’s remand status. His legal counsel informed the court that Shaheen had initially been remanded for a duration of eight days.
However, the remand was suspended on same exact day. Despite this, Shaheen continued to remain in custody with other assembly members.
Read more: PM to host dinner for coalition parliamentarians tonight
The court judge called upon the prosecution and requested the case documentation from the Sangjani police station, which resulted brief recess. Upon reconvening, the investigation officer provided the necessary records to the court.
Interestingly, the absence of the prosecutor led to the postponement of the bail hearings for Marwat, Saeed Shah and Waqas Akram.
However, Sapra opted to proceed with a decision on Shaheen’s bail application. Azad pointed out the inconsistencies in the case, stating that while Shaheen was accused of possessing a pistol, only a baton was retrieved.
He also said that the First Information Report (FIR) alleged an assault on a police officer, yet no medical documents were presented to support such a claim.
In light of the arguments resented, Sapra granted bail to Shoaib Shaheen, setting the surety at Rs100,000.
Read more: No ambiguity in July 12 decision of allowing PTI to get reserved seats: SC
The hearings for the remaining PTI leaders’ bail application was rescheduled for Monday at 9 am.
Sapra is currently overseeing jail trials at Adiala Jail, temporarily replacing ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, who is on leave.