In a significant development, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) approved the bail petition of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi on Friday concerning the attack on the federal capital’s judicial complex. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain sanctioned the bail against a surety bond of Rs 20,000. Despite a Lahore High Court (LHC) order against his arrest earlier on the day of his release from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody on September 1, Elahi was arrested hours later. This arrest marks another instance in a series since the riots on May 9.
During the recent hearing, Elahi’s legal representation highlighted the delayed inclusion of his name in the First Information Report (FIR), a full six months after its initial filing. Notably, other prominent figures from the PTI, including Chairman Imran Khan and leader Asad Umar, had previously been granted bail in the same case. The prosecution, which initially sought a 10-day physical remand, faced opposition from lawyer Babar Awan, emphasizing the arrest’s speculative nature. After considering both sides, Judge Zulqarnain acceded to Elahi’s bail application, observing the lack of tangible evidence against him during the physical remand.
The Aftermath of the Judicial Complex Riots
The origins of the case date back to March 18, when PTI workers reportedly initiated a stone-pelting incident within the Federal Judicial Complex precincts during Khan’s court appearance for multiple cases lodged against him. This gathering, violating Section 144, escalated swiftly, resulting in injuries to 52 members of the police and assisting forces, along with considerable damage to police vehicles.
The violent episode also saw the destruction and burning of several federal police cars, instigating the registration of a terrorism case against PTI workers at the counter-terrorism department police station.
