LAHORE: A local court on Monday granted bail to PML-N leader Nazir Chohan in the case of an armed clash between PTI and PML-N workers during the by-election (PP-167).

His bail was accepted against surety bonds worth Rs50,000.

The ex-MPA, his son and six others were arrested in the case of an armed clash between the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and PML-N workers during the by-election (PP-167).

The ex-MPA, his son Saad Chohan, Abid Ali, Qamar Abbas, Rafaqat Ali, Qasim Ali, Hafiz Rizwan and Faisal Maqbool were booked under sections 324, 353, 186, 506-B, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 at the Chuhng police station on Aug 1 for attacking a raiding team.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday granted bail to PML-N leader Chohan, his son and six others involved in attacking a police party during his arrest subject to submission of surety bonds of Rs100,000 each.

Meanwhile, PTI newly-elected MPA Shabir Gujjar and Nazir Chohan set aside their differences and hugged each other on the premises of the Model Town court.

MPA Gujjar recorded his statement in the court that he had no objection to granting bail to Chohan.

Talking to the media, he said he wanted to work for the welfare of the people of his constituency and did not want any personal rift.

He further said that they wanted to end political fights.

The Lahore police presented Nazir Chohan in the Model Town court after completion of his four-day physical remand in the case pertaining to attempted murder registered by Johar Town police. Deputy magistrate Asif Mustafa heard the case.

Ex-MPA Chohan through his counsel Sardar Akbar Dogar requested the court to approve his post-arrest bail application.

The applicant said the court had previously turned down a request for physical remand submitted by the police.

Mr Chohan said the Chuhng police had registered a false case against him to punish him for his political allegiance.

The court granted Mr Chohan bail against surety bonds worth Rs50,000.

Chohan was among the 25 PTI ‘dissident’ lawmakers who had voted for Hamza in the Punjab chief minister’s election held in April.

The Election Commission of Pakistan, however, de-seated him on May 23 over defection and not obeying party instructions.

On July 17, Chohan contested elections on the ticket of PML-N for the seat he had previously won for the PTI in 2018. This time, he lost.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022