Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday granted protective bail to MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar in 31 cases, asking him to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000 in each case.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar heard the pre-arrest bail application submitted by MQM leaders Farooq Sattar and Amir Khan.

The court granted pre-arrest bail to both the leaders and asked them to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000 in each case pending against them. It is pertinent to mention that Sattar has 31 cases pending against him while Khan is wanted in four cases.

It further asked them to appear before the trial court in a months time.

The cases include facilitation of hate speech specifically the August 22 case.

Sattar was represented by Barrister Farogh Naseem.

Talking to media outside the SHC, Naseem said that the government should punish those who are involved in anti-state elements, “but should also work to strengthen the elements that are loyal to the state.”

MQM leaders are facing charges in connection with cases pertaining to the incendiary Aug 22 speech of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, which triggered a violent protest, arson attacks and ransacking of media houses.

Sattar had been taken into police custody in March, and senior police officials had confirmed his 'arrest'. However, he was 'freed' in less than two hours — reportedly on the intervention of a top provincial authority.

Later, a spokesman for the Sindh chief minister said Sattar had “escaped” when a police team went to arrest him.