IHC orders release of protesters; Azam Swati, DJ Butt go free

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Sunday ordered the release of all arrested Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protesters. Consequently, the party's provincial president Azam Swati, DJ Asif Butt and others were released on bail.

IHC Chief Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi also issued a notification to the government seeking its reply by September 17 on the decision to arrest protesters.

On Saturday a court in Islamabad sent about 100 PTI workers to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand for allegedly attacking state institutions, including the PTV building and violating Section 144. The gathering of more than five persons is prohibited under Section 144 .

Out of the hundred, 91 workers belong to PTI while the remaining are Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers who had violated Section 144 and were consequently arrested, a police official had confirmed.

Responding to the IHC order, Acting IG Islamabad Police Tahir Alam said on Sunday that those arrested under Section 144 were also involved in the attack on Parliament. Alam said he would request the Islamabad District Magistrate to ensure the detainment of those protesters for one month under the Maintenance of Public Order.

On Saturday, enraged PTI workers had gathered outside the court to protest the detention of party activists by police. Azam Swati and PTI Punjab Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas had been among those arrested by the police, along with DJ Asif Butt.

PTI leader Arif Alvi had warned the government that his party would forcibly release workers detained by police authorities if they were not released. PTI Chairman Imran Khan also said on Saturday that the government could arrest his party workers or torture them but a "Naya Pakistan" would be created no matter what.

The detainment and arrests of PTI and PAT workers had brought all talks between the government and protesting parties to a halt.

Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Malik Asad is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn with two decades of experience covering legal affairs, judicial developments, and the civil bureaucracy. He can be found on X at @asadrp.

Shakeel Qarar is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn News (TV), having been with the organization since 2012. His reporting covers crime, law and order, and security, with a specific focus on the Ministry of Interior and its subordinate agencies. He can be found on X at @Qarar009.

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mujahid

Sep 14, 2014 11:11am

YET ANOTHER EPISODE GOING TO START ON MISSING PERSONS WHETHER PTI OR PAT

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Rajab Ali

Sep 14, 2014 11:18am

IHC ordered release the PTI / PAT protesters and IG Islamabad has refused to obey orders. This is yet again a proof of Pakistan has turned into a Police state. That is how NS/SS can rule! SHAME!

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Haider Rehman

Sep 14, 2014 11:21am

The booking of Fauzia Kasuri shows that all these cases are false. Courts should also focus on arresting and prosecuting model town killers.

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Husain Jan

Sep 14, 2014 11:23am

Will N-league obey the IHC order (as usual) and release the detainees soon or not remains to be seen.

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 11:24am

Justice Kasi, stop playing devil's advocate. These arrested people have attacked parliament and PTV.

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MHZ

Sep 14, 2014 11:24am

This is sad that the court wants to be judge ad the jury.These accused were on tv and whole world saw it.How they can be set free without due process.Job of the judge is to be a uphold the law.not to make the law,

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Haider

Sep 14, 2014 11:27am

Wise decision by IHC. Acting IG seems to be going out of way to please his masters. Interior minister was happy in announcing recognition of attackers on holy installations. Unfortunately same ministry is unable to track and catch even a single killer of 14 innocent lives of Model town tragedy.. What a country! Even "jungle ka qanoon" seems a law better than ours. I feel ashamed!!

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 11:31am

@Rajab Ali Judge Kasi should be fired for taking sides. He is government servant and not an elected judge.

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Salman

Sep 14, 2014 11:33am

Another dirty trick by government to run away from dialogue for re-opening constituencies for audit.

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 11:33am

@Haider Rehman Really, hope, you are not involved in attacking PTV and stealing camera.

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Mustafa J.

Sep 14, 2014 11:43am

Hope Government will appeal the decision of IHC to Supreme Court of Pakistan to maintain law and order in Pakistan.

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AdHawk

Sep 14, 2014 11:55am

What one court giveth, the other taketh away.

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Sammy

Sep 14, 2014 12:07pm

Shabaz Sharif walks around freely while he has blood on his hands and you call that justice

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ishrat salim

Sep 14, 2014 12:09pm

I do not understand the supporters of PML N....have they forgotten the attack of SC by PML N ? & till today no case has been heard on this case.Watch it...that at was a violent mob who took over the SC & the judges had to seek refuge in their chambers & called for Army`s assistance after which Army stepped in to rescue those judges. Compare that with what the peaceful protesters did. They were moving towards Parliament not inside & was provoked by the LEAs from Laore ( Punjab ) Protesters were allowed to pass by Islamabad Police & that is why 2 IGs & 3 DSPs refused to fire because they knew that the protesters were peaceful..that is the difference...did you guys not watch TV...even after passing of 31 days the protesters are peaceful....guys who supports PML N & other political parties in the assembly do not want CHANGE. They think CHANGE is only possible through violence. IHC has also ordered to remove containers from all over Islamabad, the govt is yet to comply inviting contempt of court....soon insha Allah.

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Sammy

Sep 14, 2014 12:10pm

@Lucky Star fazal Rehman supports the taliban and he sits in paliment how come you don't say any thing about that?

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Saad

Sep 14, 2014 12:36pm

@Lucky Star You trust your government more than a judge? Whole nation have seen true faces of this corrupt government how come you're still supporting them

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Voice of Reason

Sep 14, 2014 12:48pm

How can your Honor order the release of those criminals specially who were involved in attacking Parliament and PTV? This is beyond comprehension. Has the respectable Judge no sense of which actions are legal and which are illegal? The model town massacre also needs to be investigated properly and legally but saying that such Mobsters who are involved in illegal activities should run with impunity is also wrong.

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khanm

Sep 14, 2014 12:52pm

Unless we abandon elements which resemble a police state, we can't meet the demands of being a modern society...it is time for people to choose right from wrong...

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Baba De Kamaqlano

Sep 14, 2014 12:52pm

An independent decision to protect the rights of common citizens and a step forward to restore the confidence of general public.

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Zeeshan

Sep 14, 2014 12:55pm

@Lucky Star : Right, now the IHC should start issuing verdicts by taking approval of your highness!

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z khan

Sep 14, 2014 01:04pm

wellPTI dont believe in courts if only decision is against them

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Talha

Sep 14, 2014 01:06pm

@Lucky Star Justice Kasi isn't a government servant. He is a state servant who has to ensure justice for the common man and Honorable Justice Kasi has just done that. Only if it is a monarchy we can call him the government's servant but I think that is not the case. I hope all the PTI supporters and workers are released as soon as possible so that those arresting these peaceful protesters don't get a notice for contempt. If a peaceful protest is a democratic right then an imposition of Section 144 takes away that very right of peaceful protests. So if the people can't even protest peacefully then can we call it a democracy. Is democracy the name of suppressing the voices which oppose the current policies by sending these people to jail? Why can't that they tolerate difference of opinion. When section 144 imposed to take away the right to peaceful protests then it is called using those laws that favor you and abandoning those laws that don't favor you.

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Hannan

Sep 14, 2014 01:11pm

@Lucky Star None attacked parliament. People went into the lawns of parliament which in reality relates to people of Pakistan and not to the fathers' of parliamentarians. If they are blocking it, it's against the rights of movement which our constitution gives us. If u will not use ur rights, u will lose it.

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Shuaib Bhat

Sep 14, 2014 01:19pm

This should be appealed. The IHC should be ordering the arrest of these vandalists not their release.

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zaidi Iqbal Hadi

Sep 14, 2014 02:35pm

Congratulations 4 Imran + Thanks 4 Nawaz. All those belonging to PTI arrested yesterday have been released today and therefore I must congratulate Imran for getting back all of those who were taken off from him yesterday. Perhaps ID Isalambad + IG Punjab heard Imran threatening them to take to task when he comes into power for arresting his supporters. However, I cannot be so immoral not to thank thank PM Nawaz also proving to be so very kind to release all those who were arrested. I suggest Imran must announce special celebrations for his loved ones who missed yesterday proceedings which were at peak in any case because I could thousands of people listening to Imran. Long is live Imran, long live his supporters including me. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / Former Diplomat / zaidiformerdiplomat@hotmail.com

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Salman

Sep 14, 2014 02:37pm

@Lucky Star but the problematic part for you is that you have got to proof it in the court. When you will try to do that you will realize that no one actually attacked or even intended to attack any building.

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Husain Jan

Sep 14, 2014 02:57pm

@Rajab Ali Question : How can a police official, and that too working at the post on acting basis, can speak against High Court order ? A very clear example of mentality / attitude of our police force who always work to please the masters.

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ghuman

Sep 14, 2014 03:00pm

Some justice in pakistan

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Husain Jan

Sep 14, 2014 03:05pm

@Mustafa J. The govt may appeal against IHC judgement as these days it has no other agenda except to harass and malign the protesters.

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ash_insafians

Sep 14, 2014 03:46pm

@Sammy exactly. but they are kings.

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Darkanu

Sep 14, 2014 03:57pm

Salute to the honorable judge for a fare decision.

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Iqbal Khan

Sep 14, 2014 04:24pm

a selected justice. What about the Model town culprits? What about the SC invaders? Where is justice in Karachi where dozens are slaughtered everyday? Where is justice to protect women's honour who are disgraced recently by PMLn MNA's son?

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Parvez

Sep 14, 2014 04:29pm

Good move by the courts.......its necessary to question the law that violates the universally accepted rights of the common man in order to safeguard the self serving wishes of a few who sit in Parliament.

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Sep 14, 2014 04:38pm

Its the imposition of Dafa 144 and section 188 that must be challenged at Supreme Court. Its abuse is rife in Pakistan and many innocent civilians have fallen prey to this pathetic piece of colonial abuse, which was made law by them to deal with locals. These darconian laws need a judicial review immediately.

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Harmony

Sep 14, 2014 04:56pm

@Lucky Star - These are your government's courts. Do you only like the court verdicts when they are in your favour?

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Harmony

Sep 14, 2014 05:01pm

@Lucky Star - Justice Kasi as the name suggests is a judge not an "advocate".

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Faz

Sep 14, 2014 05:25pm

@Lucky Star And the government is elected..right?

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Mohammed A. Sukhear-USA

Sep 14, 2014 05:28pm

@Haider. The government attorneys are sleeping, they should file an appeal against the decision in a higher court. If we allow these criminals to go free by a judge, then we should look at his credentials for such decisions.These criminals had captured the PTV studios, stole three expensive cameras, damaged the equipment and judge orders them to go free. What the judge is thinking? If this is the interpretation of the law by a judge, then we should release everyone in jails for theft charges. These people have also broken the law by entering the red zone in the name of right to protest and damaged the government buildings. They have a right to protest in a designated area and not in front of the PM house or parliament building and shut down teh government. The government must make the tough decision to use force to vacate the red zone area.

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Abid

Sep 14, 2014 05:43pm

@Lucky Star And arrest of murdrers of Model Town must also be ensured.

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Taloot

Sep 14, 2014 06:36pm

I hope the govt has some honour left to obey the high court.

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Taloot

Sep 14, 2014 06:37pm

@ghuman Dont be so conclusive... Wait for implementation.

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ishrat salim

Sep 14, 2014 06:59pm

Sec 144 does not apply within the premises of the court. This is the rule, hence how come people have been arrested from within the court premises ?

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 07:06pm

@Darkanu What seems fair to you does not see fair to me. Judge is partial and under the influence of IK's rants.

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Ahmed

Sep 14, 2014 07:13pm

@ishrat salim Talk about today. Today, Nawaz Sharif is not only the elected prime minister of Pakistan but also, together with all other elected representatives of the people of Pakistan (with the exception of course of PTI), defending democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan. Why is this simple fact so hard for Imran Khan's fans to digest?

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 07:18pm

@ishrat salim That was past, and we have paid heavy price for that in terms of time lost. We have learnt a lot from that and now IK is making the same mistake, and we will not allow him to derail the democracy. IK, go to parliament and do your share to serve the people of Pakistan if you are honest to masses and not just another Choudhari of Gujrat who can serve only when on seat of power without any powers under some military boss.

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Liaquat

Sep 14, 2014 07:54pm

@Haider sò if courts are right and doing good job why dont IK go to court for decision on 30 rigging seats instead of blocking and paralizing entire city.

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Tariq K Sami

Sep 14, 2014 08:26pm

Go and arrest the killers of Lahore Model Town Massacre.

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FAZAL

Sep 14, 2014 08:58pm

Wait a minute, yesterday Chaudri Nisar, in his press conference sad that "these 100 people are arrested on charges of attacking PTV, and steeling electricity....", and now it is violation of section 144? These people lost the trust and credibility from 180 million Pakistani's, except the beneficiaries of this regime, who are influential enough to make 180 million Pakistanis fool. Since this regime and their supporters are exposed as liars, looters, soulless and senseless bunch of greedy fools, no nation on earth will take them serious any more. It is time to take action and make them liable for their words, these thugs are lying under other, in-front of the whole world, really?? It is time to go NS and his crooks, for the sake of Pakistan, before its too late.

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Pakistan

Sep 14, 2014 09:13pm

It is no longer just about rigging in elections and that is not the only reason for this government to go. By indulging in criminal negligence of their duties, failure to provide justice, and abuse of power, they have lost the right to continue their rule. People of Pakistan - please, please wake up. On one hand you have model town incident, and the incident of Police brutality in Islamabad for which photo and video evidence is right there. For these cases, even an FIR is too small a step. With the evidence available, it should not even take 24 hours to deliver the verdicts and punishments. But NO - these people can't have justice. Ch. Nisar says we will make a commission. Can someone tell him that we don't need a commission. We have all the proof. We just need you to deliver on the responsibility and the duty the nation has entrusted you with and ACT. But their failure to act - no, cut that - failure to even get serious to act is a crime in itself for which they deserve to be sent home. And if that were not enough, they are cooking up all these false cases and showing efficiency in registering FIRs and making arrests. If people want their freedom and dignity and justice in our beloved country, people need to come out and make them go; because they certainly wouldn't go by themselves.

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Lucky Star

Sep 14, 2014 11:57pm

@Abid I just believe in the arrest of instigators, IK and Qadri, who are misleading the masses in the name of Naya Pakistan, and Inqalab.. I want my old Pakistan comprised of East Pakistan and West Pakistan where Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman is PM, the winner of 1970's election. The present Pakistan was created Bhutto and Yahya Khan. Now IK and Qadri wants to create another new Pakistan without knowing what will new Pakistan look like. Hope, people can understand the gravity of the situation and shun these narrow minded leaders before it is too late.

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Mustafa J.

Sep 15, 2014 12:00am

@Husain Jan: It is easy to protest and disturb peace but very difficult to maintain law and order.

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Truth will Always Prevail

Sep 15, 2014 12:11am

@Saad Because he is a product of corruption and only language he gets is that is spoken with corruption. These are very few % of corrupt or so called untouchable by law made by them. But they have nothing else left now except keep counting their lucky stars. In the end Truth will Always prevail because truth is Sunnah of ALLAH SUBHANA WA'TALA.

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Truth will Always Prevail

Sep 15, 2014 12:21am

@Pakistan You have spoken like true and sincere Pakistani voice. yes Indeed wake up Pakistan for your children future sake you do not want Maryam or Hamza dictating to your children what their parents are dictating to you

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Taloot

Sep 15, 2014 01:14am

@Mohammed A. Sukhear-USA These are no thugs or criminals as is oft ref to by the govt. These are peaceful people standing up for what they believe to be correct. This is life. Martin L King Jr did the same way back in America. If you articles of that time, you'll find that the govt and supporters called them similar names and accused them of so many such activities. I am glad that Pakistanis have finally gotten the courage to stand for what they believe to be correct. Well done my countrymen well done. Make me proud.

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Taloot

Sep 15, 2014 01:14am

@Pakistan I agree one hundred percent.

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Taloot

Sep 15, 2014 01:15am

@Lucky Star I think he's tried that already.

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Mirza

Sep 15, 2014 02:33am

PTI has to decide whether the courts are free or not? When they make a decision in their favor the courts are great but the govt is corrupt. If not then the courts and govt both are corrupt! They cannot have it both ways. The courts can only do so much in a country where the people "sell" their testimony. We cannot blame others for our own character weaknesses.

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Mustafa J.

Sep 15, 2014 05:10am

@Pakistan: You are just one of 180 Million Pakistanis. Let us assume half of Pakistanis are either children or too old to know what is going on in Pakistan. Then you are one of 90 Million Pakistanis to raise your voices about problems in Pakistan. It is next to impossible to hear voices and suggestions from all 90 million people in Pakistan. For this reason we have elected Members of Parliament to represent all Pakistanis. And this is democracy. It is the voice and decisions of the Members of Parliament that counts and that should be implemented, not the voice of Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Maulana Qadri, you or I or anyone one else. This is democracy and the decisions of majority of Members of Parliament must prevail and the rest should keep their mouth shut until next election. If anyone sees any laws of Pakistan being violated, the only recourse is to go to courts and that is democracy. No demonstration, marches, Dharna, civil disobedience, threats, intimidation, raiding parliament house or Prime Minister's house, shouting on loud speakers, beating police will scare government authorities from enforcing laws of Pakistan using full force of law.

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Ninlor Khan

Sep 15, 2014 03:48pm

Surprised, Courts are coming in action. Lot more need to be done by the courts, who are sleeping at the moment.

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