KARACHI: A judicial magistrate on Monday granted post-arrest bail to nine Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers apprehended in a case pertaining to rioting and assault on police during a rally in Korangi on Sunday.

The investigating officer (IO) brought the arrested PTI activists — Sindh chapter additional general secretary Rizwan Niazi, Karachi general secretary Arsalan Khalid, Saeed, Danish, Azeem, Abdul Qadeer, Rehmatullah, Wali Muhammad, and Muhammad Ayaz — before Judicial Magistrate (East) Imran Ameer Ali Thari, seeking their police custody for 14 days.

During the proceeding, Barrister Abdul Jalil Khan Marwat contended that the police had falsely implicated his clients, stating that they were participating in a peaceful rally.

He argued that the IO had failed to produce evidence or name the individuals allegedly assaulted. He requested the court to discharge his clients by invoking Section 63 of the criminal procedure code.

Filing their bail application, Barrister Marwat also stated that the arms which police claimed to have confiscated from a party worker were licensed and they recovered them during a search of a car.

When the court inquired the IO if a separate FIR had been lodged under the Sindh Arms Act, he failed to satisfy the court.

Opposing the IO’s plea for granting police remand, he asked the court to grant bail to his clients, arguing that the charges in the FIR were bailable.

However, the state prosecutor opposed the bail plea.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted post-arrest bail to them against a surety bond of Rs10,000 each.

In its release order, the court directed the superintendent of the district jail Malir to release the nominated individuals if they were not required in any other case. The court also instructed the PTI workers to appear before the court on July 4.

According to the FIR, around 100 to 150 people carrying PTI flags were present near Korangi No 1, intimidating passers-by. When police attempted to intervene, the crowd allegedly attacked the officers, resulting in injuries to several policemen.

Upon arrival of additional reinforcement, the police arrested nine individuals. Police also claimed in the case to have recovered two sub-machine guns and a 9mm pistol from Rizwan Niazi.

A case was registered at the Korangi police station under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 506-B (criminal intimidation) and 337-A(i) (hurt on the head or face of any person) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2024