KOHAT, July 12: The Anti-Terrorism Court, Kohat, during the preliminary hearing of treason cases against Javed Ibraheem Paracha, a former PML MNA, and three others, fixed July 15 for regular trial on Friday.

The local administration registered treason cases against 29 religious leaders for criticizing the role of the army in the war against terror and raising objectionable slogans against President Musharraf on Thursday last.

The accused had delivered anti-state and anti-government speeches during the protest meeting organised by the leaders of religious parties to condemn the killing of four Al Qaeda men in Kohat in a police encounter.

Later, the local police arrested Javed Ibraheem Paracha who is also the provincial secretary-general of Sunni Supreme Council, Dr Abdur Rabbi of Jamaat-i-Islami, Haji Abid of banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and Maulana Mursaleen under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act.

They have been lodged in Haripur and Dera Ismail Khan central prisons.