SHANGLA: An anti-terrorism court granted post-arrest bail to 26 activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, who were implicated in a case related to violence occurred on Feb 9 a day after the general elections.

Two PTI workers were killed and 12 others injured when police allegedly opened fire on the protesters gathered in Alpuri to agitate the alleged rigging in polls.

The protesters pelted stones on the official buildings and the police and also allegedly set on fire an official vehicle.

An Insaf Lawyers Forum team comprising Majarab Khan Advocate, Sadar Rehman, Amir Alam, Jedar Khan, Mohsin Advocate and Waqar Advocate, who pleaded the detained workers’ case, told reporters on Saturday that 26 activists were released from jail after the Swat Anti-Terrorism Court granted them post-arrest bail.

Mujarab Khan said PTI workers were illegally implicated in terrorism cases, which had not legal basis, and they got justice and were released from jail.

He said the police had included different sections in the FIR that had no legal status.

The Shangla police had arrested 26 protesters on Feb 9 when PTI activists and leaders took out a rally against alleged manipulation in election results of NA-11 and PK-30.

Meanwhile, six people were injured when a van crashed into shops after the driver lost control over the steering in Banjar area of Alpuri on Saturday.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Rasool Khan Sharif told Dawn that the van was heading towards Bisham from Swat when it met the accident.

He said the injured were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital, Alpuri. He said two children were among the injured.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2024