LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted interim pre-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mahmood in a case related to violence during a recent long march held by his party.

Advocate Burhan Moazzam Malik, counsel for Mahmood, also a former federal minister, told the court that his client was present in his car outside the court as doctors had advised him not to walk following a minor surgery.

He said the court could verify the presence of the petitioner through an official.Presiding Judge Amber Gul asked a court official to mark the attendance of the petitioner after visiting him in the car.The counsel also presented medical reports and photos of the operated body part of the PTI leader before the court.

The judge granted bail to Shafqat Mahmood till June 17 subject to bail bond of Rs100,000.

A sessions court also extended interim pre-arrest bail of PTI Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Murad Raas till June 18 in a case of violence and damaging public property during the long march.

Advocate Burhan Moazzam Malik appeared on behalf of the PTI leaders before the court. He argued that the case against the petitioners was baseless and politically motivated.

After marking attendance of the PTI leaders, Additional District and Sessions Judge Saima Qureshi extended their bail.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2022