KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday granted protective/transitory bail to former president Dr Arif Alvi in three cases registered in Punjab.

The SHC directed him to furnish a solvent surety of Rs50,000 and appear before trial courts within 20 days.

Citing secretary of home department, inspector general of police, interior ministry and Federal Investigation Agency as respondents, the former president through his lawyer petitioned the SHC and stated that he belonged to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and on Nov 24, the PTI had engaged in a peaceful protest, but party workers were subjected to torture.

His counsel Ali Tahir argued that instead of holding the responsible officials accountable, the authorities retaliated by filing multiple FIRs against the petitioner and other party leaders and workers.

He also contended that the petitioner had been nominated in three cases registered at as many police stations in Rawalpindi, Mianwali and Taxila under multiple provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The petitioner sought 20-day protective bail to surrender before the trial courts and avail legal remedies provided under the law.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon in its order said that 20-day protective/transitory bail was being granted without prejudice to the merits of the cases.

It also said that its order would cease to have its effect on Dec 23.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024