ATC extends interim bails of PTI leaders

LAHORE: Anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday extended interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in vandalism case during the Long March on May 25, ARY News reported.

The court was upset over the lack of investigation involving several PTI leaders in the Long March vandalism case.

According to details, anti-terrorism court in Lahore heard the interim bail applications of PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Hammad Azhar and others.

The ATC expressed its displeasure at the lack of investigation involving Zubair Niazi, Sheikh Imtiaz, Mian Akram Usman and Azeem Afzal and ordered an immediate investigation of the said accused, upon which the statements of Zubair Khan Niazi and others were immediately recorded.

During the hearing, the court directed the investigating officer to record the statements of the accused outside the court, and adjourned the hearing for some time while calling the lawyers of the accused for arguments.

Among the PTI leaders, Hammad Azhar, Yasmin Rashid, Aslam Iqbal, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Musarat Cheema, Shafqat Mehmood, Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Andalib Abbas, Murad Ras, Yasir Gilani and Zubair Niazi and others appeared.

On behalf of the accused, Burhan Muazzam Advocate sought time for arguments after which ATC extended the interim bail of PTI leaders till August 5.

The court rejected the interim bail plea of Ejaz Chaudhry for his non-appearance.