ATC grants bail to Imran & SM Qureshi in protest and vandalism cases

Prosecutor argued protests deliberately staged, granting bail will be ‘extraordinary relief’

ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has approved bail for former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in cases related to protests and vandalism. Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain granted bail on Monday, requiring bail bonds of Rs30,000 each for Khan and Qureshi in three and two cases, respectively.

The decision follows the rejection of their pre-arrest bail applications on August 11. During the recent proceedings, the prosecutor argued that the protests were deliberately staged, emphasizing that granting bail would be an “extraordinary relief.” The prosecutor sought the rejection of the bail applications, prompting the judge to inquire about the presence of both suspects at the protest scene. The prosecutor confirmed their absence.

More From Daily The Destination: Not Imran or Nawaz, PPP to form government: Bilawal

However, the court noted that bail had previously been granted to other co-suspects in the cases. Subsequently, the ATC approved bail for Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in all five cases, providing relief in exchange for bail bonds of Rs30,000 each.

The approval of bail signifies a legal development for the prominent political figures, allowing them temporary respite in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the mentioned cases.