ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has discharged 32 individuals arrested in connection with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) D-Chowk protest, clearing them of the charges.
The suspects were brought before the ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain late at night after being sent for an identification parade. The judge expressed displeasure at the timing.
Defence lawyer Ansar Kiyani argued that police had arrested innocent workers from their homes to meet quotas, involving them in the protest case.
The suspects were arrested in cases filed at the I-9 and Margalla police stations. Police told the court that the accused were brought to the court from Jhelum Jail, which led to the judge expressing displeasure
The investigating officer argued that an identification parade had not yet been conducted since their arrest on November 25 and requested a 30-day remand for each of the accused.
After hearing the arguments, Judge Zulqarnain ordered the suspects’ handcuffs to be removed in court and discharged them from the cases. He sternly warned the police against re-arresting them, saying, “If police do this again, I will have them handcuffed.”
