Rawalpindi: an anti -terrorism court (ATC) broadcast prison convictions on Friday and issued arrest orders against a large number of PTI workers and leaders involved in protests held on November 24 and 26, 2024.
The protests, part of a broader political movement launched by the PTI after the arrest of its upper leadership, became demonstrations of confrontation in several cities. Marked by road blockages, clashes with the application of the law and vandalism of public property, the events led to the registration of 24 cases under anti -terrorist and public order laws.
By chairing the hearing, ATC Rawalpindi judge, Amjad Ali Shah, announced that 82 people who confessed to participating in the protests were sentenced to four months in prison and fined with RS15,000.
Of about 1,100 people appointed in the 24 FIRS, 568 appeared in the Court, while 1,049 did not attend the procedures. The Court dismissed the bond for the 1,049 people to escape and ordered the blockade of their national identification cards, the freezing of their bank accounts and the issuance of arrest guarantees.
The bond dismisses more than 1,000 activists, issues your arrest.
In addition, the bail requests of 25 subestral defendants were also rejected, which raised the total number of bail layoffs to 1,074. The Court expressed concern about what it described as a deliberate obstruction of legal procedures by the absent, as highlighted by prosecutor Zaheer Shah.
The court also issued a notice of contempt to the court to PTI Mna Shandana Gulzar. According to prosecutor Shah, Mrs. Gulzar falsely said acting as a lawyer in the procedure, while simultaneously she obtained a salary as a member of the National Assembly. He accused her of repeatedly interrupting the court and undermining her authority.
Judge Shah rebuked Mrs. Gulzar for her conduct, and a separate notice was issued under contempt provisions. The audience was postponed until the next date.
The protests of November 2024 occurred during a period of greater political tension in the country. The PTI had been mobilizing mass protests in response to the disqualification of its founding president Imran Khan to dispute elections and the arrest of high -level leaders for positions ranging from sedition to corruption.
The PTI and its supporters argued that these actions were politically motivated and part of a broader offensive against dissent.
The protests became violent in several cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Karachi, which caused injuries to the personnel of the law and the generalized public disturbances.
In response, the Government invoked the Anti -Terrorism Law to arrest and collect hundreds of PTI activists, causing the condemnation of human rights organizations and international observers.
Posted in Dawn, May 3, 2025
