ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted protective bail to anchorpersons Arshad Sharif, Sami Ibrahim and Dr Moeed Pirzada till May 30, restrained police from arresting them without court permission and sought details of the FIRs registered against the anchorpersons in different provinces.

Also, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted protective bail to anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan in two FIRs registered against him in Sindh on charges of inciting people against state institutions, including the army and the judiciary.

While granting protective bails, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah made it clear that since the FIRs were registered outside the territorial jurisdiction of the IHC, the court could not order their quashment. He issued notices to the interior secretary, inspector general of police and the deputy commissioner of Islamabad and sought details of the FIRs.

Justice Minallah suggested to the defence counsel to seek relief from the provincial high courts or trial courts concerned.

Raja Amir Abbas Hassan represented Sami Ibrahim and Dr Moeed Pirzada.

Further hearing was adjourned to May 30.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court granted protective bail to anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan in two FIRs registered against him in Sindh for allegedly inciting people against state institutions and restrained the police from arresting him till May 27.

Taking up bail plea in a case registered in Nawabshah, Justice Tariq Nadeem granted bail to the petitioner, observing that he had surrendered himself before in order to approach a court to seek bail before arrest.

While hearing another petition of Mr Khan against the case lodged in Dhabeji, Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz granted him protective bail till May 31.

The FIRs had been registered under sections 131 (abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty), section 153-A. (promoting enmity between different groups) and section 505-A (statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause or incite, or which is likely to cause or incite, any officer, soldier, sailor, or airman to mutiny).

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2022