The Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer Shoaib Shaheen, ordering his immediate release from Adiala Jail. The court’s decision comes amid ongoing legal proceedings concerning several PTI leaders.
On September 14, 2024, the court, presided over by Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, considered bail applications for PTI leaders including Sher Afzal Marwat, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and Shoaib Shaheen. The hearing took place in Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court.
Court’s Ruling on Shoaib Shaheen
Judge Supra was informed that Shoaib Shaheen had previously been granted an 8-day physical remand, which was subsequently suspended. His lawyer argued that Shaheen, along with other assembly members, was currently imprisoned, but emphasized that Shaheen’s situation required urgent attention.
The court requested the record from the Sanjiani Police Station and summoned the prosecutor. After a brief recess, the investigating officer appeared with the necessary documentation.
Judge Supra noted that due to the absence of the prosecutor, the hearing for the bail applications of Sher Afzal Marwat, Saeed Shah, and Waqas Akram would be deferred. However, he decided to rule on Shoaib Shaheen’s bail request on the same day.
Legal Arguments and Court’s Decision
Shoaib Shaheen’s lawyer, Riasat Ali Azad, highlighted that although Shaheen and other PTI members were jailed, there were inconsistencies in the FIR against Shaheen. The lawyer argued that the FIR mentioned an assault on a police officer with a pistol, but no medical certificate was provided to support this claim. Additionally, the alleged weapon, a pistol, was not recovered; only a stick was reported as evidence.
Judge Supra questioned the validity of the claim regarding the stick and noted that the investigating officer had indicated its recovery in a recent report.
The court approved Shaheen’s post-arrest bail application, setting bail at PKR 100,000, and ordered his immediate release from Adiala Jail. The court’s written order noted that Shaheen faced charges related to violations during a political rally, including alleged police assault. The decision was influenced by the lack of substantial evidence linking Shaheen to the reported violence and his health issues.
Postponed Hearings for Other PTI Leaders
The court postponed the hearings for other PTI leaders’ bail applications to Monday morning at 9 a.m., due to the absence of the relevant judge. Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, currently assigned to jail trials, is handling the case in the absence of Judge Abul Hassanat Zulqarnain, who is on leave.
In summary, while Shoaib Shaheen has been granted bail and released from Adiala Jail, the court has deferred the hearing of bail applications for other PTI leaders due to procedural delays.
