ISLAMABAD: The court of Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on bail applications filed for seven female Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested in connection with the August 5 protest, after the police failed to produce the case record.

The hearing saw heated exchanges as two bail applications were presented by PTI lawyers. The absence of official police documentation led the magistrate to express strong displeasure over the disorganised proceedings.

“What a mess you people have cooked up. I will write everyone’s name in the order,” remarked Judge Shaista Kundi, criticising the legal team’s handling of the case.

Advocate Ali Bukhari, defending the detained women, responded, “These are women from my constituency, that is why I am representing them. No recovery was made from these elderly women. All the provisions in this FIR are bailable.”

Bukhari completed his arguments; however, the court was compelled to adjourn the proceedings till Thursday due to the unavailability of the police record.

The seven PTI women workers remain in judicial custody and are incarcerated at Adiala Jail. The case was registered against them at Lohi Bher Police Station following their participation in the party’s protest.

The Police also arrested nine men in connection with the protest. The magistrate handed over their custody to the police for three days on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2025