ISLAMABAD: Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas on Thursday approved post-arrest bail applications of 29 students who were earlier sent to judicial custody following their arrest in connection with an operation to vacate hostel rooms at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU).

The students, who were granted bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000 each, had been produced before the court amid tight security the previous day.

Their legal team, including President of the District Bar Association Naeem Gujjar, Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, Advocate Hadi Ali Chatha, and Advocate Imaan Mazari, launched a robust defence questioning the legitimacy of the charges brought against them.

Earlier on Wednesday’s hearing, the court had ordered the students into judicial custody.

Reading out the text of the FIR, Advocate Riasat Ali Azad contended that the case was exaggerated and lacked substance. “Only one section is non-bailable. There’s no mention of weapons—just sloganeering. No theft, no injured party,” he argued, urging the court to discharge the students entirely.

Following the heated proceedings, the court ruled in favour of granting bail.

Published in Dawn, Aug 1st, 2025