RAWALPINDI: The police suffered a set back on Wednesday after 36 workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), arrested on charges of attacking the police on arrival of Dr Tahirul Qadri on June 23, were granted bail by the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Police said all of the 36 PAT workers who were granted bail would be released from Central Jail Adiala on Thursday.

Around 1,200 to 1,300 PAT workers were booked and 53 people arrested under Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly attacking the police and creating law and order situation on the scheduled arrival of Dr Tahirul Qadri at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

Of the 53 PAT workers, 17 were released earlier after being granted bail by a division bench of the LHC Rawalpindi.

The arrested Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers had filed a petition through their counsel, pleading that the police had registered a case against them on mala fide intentions.

The police claimed that Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers were arrested for damaging the armoured police van and public property.

The wireless sets allegedly snatched by the protesters are yet to be recovered.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014