ISLAMABAD: In a significant legal development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to more than 120 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who were arrested in connection with the November 26 protests in the capital.
Acting Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar issued orders for their immediate release, while Justice Muhammad Asif formally approved the bails. The ruling comes as a relief for the embattled PTI, which has been entangled in multiple legal battles involving its founder, senior leadership, and party workers.
As part of the bail conditions, the IHC has directed all 120 PTI workers to submit an affidavit at their respective police stations, pledging not to engage in similar offenses in the future. Additionally, each individual is required to furnish surety bonds worth PKR 20,000, along with one guarantor.
Prominent lawyers representing the detainees, including Ali Bukhari, Babar Awan, and Murtaza Turi, appeared before the court.
This decision follows a similar ruling in January, when an anti-terrorism court granted bail to 250 PTI workers arrested for their participation in the same protest.
The controversy surrounding the November 24-26 protests has intensified, with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recently demanding an independent and impartial investigation. A fact-finding report released earlier this month contradicted the federal government’s claims regarding the events of the protest.
The HRCP’s high-level mission gathered testimonies from state officials, PTI leaders, journalists, and the families of seven individuals allegedly killed during the demonstration. Their findings challenge the government’s narrative, raising concerns over the excessive use of force by security personnel.
The protests, led by PTI supporters calling for the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, escalated when demonstrators breached police barricades in Islamabad. The ensuing clashes saw security forces deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd. Social media reports suggested multiple fatalities and injuries, including attacks on journalists.
Among the incidents, protesters assaulted an Associated Press videographer and damaged his camera, escalating tensions further. Shortly after midnight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stark warning, stating that security forces would resort to live fire if protesters engaged in armed violence.
With the legal battle over the arrests still unfolding, the government faces mounting pressure to address concerns over its handling of political demonstrations and alleged human rights violations.
