LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has strongly condemned the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) decision that rejected the bail applications of its leaders -- Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Omer Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed -- terming it “politically-motivated and legally flawed”.

The case (FIR No 103/230) was registered against the three PTI leaders by Sarwar Road police.

A statement issued by the PTI Punjab media cell says the ATC decision reflects a clear violation of the principle of consistency in bail jurisprudence, as bail in the same case was granted to Senator Ijaz Chaudhry by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“The continued denial of bail to similarly placed co-accused is not only discriminatory but also amounts to deliberate persecution rooted in political bias, rather than rule of law,” the PTI observed.

The statement said it was increasingly evident that anti-terrorism laws were being “selectively misused” against the PTI’s peaceful political leadership, turning legal processes into tools of coercion and silencing.

Vows to raise voice for farmers in the parliament

It adds the Constitution guarantees equality before the law, protection of civil liberties, and the right to a fair trial, which were blatantly denied to the incarcerated party leaders and workers.

“We call upon the chief justice of Pakistan, the legal fraternity, civil society and the media to take urgent notice of the violation of judicial consistency and due process; the targeted victimisation of opposition voices through prolonged incarceration; and the failure of trial courts to uphold constitutional protections and fair trial standards,” reads the statement.

The PTI also urged all democratic forces to raise their voices against the ongoing constitutional and legal travesty. “The denial of justice in politically motivated cases is not just an attack on individuals, but an assault on the democratic foundations of Pakistan,” the party’s media cell states.

Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has announced the party will “raise its voice” for farmers inside the parliament and every other forum.

According to a statement, he made these remarks in a meeting of farmers’ representatives from various districts of Punjab held on Sunday.

Mr Akram claimed farmers across the country were preparing to set up protest camps on major highways. However, he didn’t state whether PTI leaders and workers would join the farmers in their protest.

Khalid Nawaz Sudhraich, the leader of PTI’s farmers wing, was also present.

“We will not allow the repetition of the 2023-24 mega wheat scandal and anti-farmer measures under any circumstances,” Mr Sudhraich said, referring to the crisis last year when the government decided not to procure the grain from farmers.

He claimed the farmers were “shifting” to other professions due to the government’s “wrong decisions”. Farmers are now choosing other profitable sectors, which is a “big blow for the agricultural economy”.

The previous PTI government has ensured “easy and affordable access to fertilisers, seeds, water and electricity,” as well as other facilities, for farmers, he said, adding that the policy led to a “significant increase in agricultural production.” However, he said, the progress was “reversed” after the PTI government was ousted in 2022.

The PTI farmers’ wing leaders criticised the current government’s policies, stating it was ignoring the real issues faced by farmers. The government’s decisions were causing further damage to the agricultural sector, they said.

The PTI leaders say that food security will remain at risk until farmer-friendly policies are implemented and suggested that the authorities take steps to improve the agricultural supply chain and ensure better profits for farmers.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2025