ATC orders release of PTI workers detained ahead of long march

An Anti‑Terrorism Court in Islamabad discharged all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers who had been arrested in connection with cases filed before the party’s long march. Judge Abu Al-Hasanat Zul-Qarnain ordered their release after police requested additional time to hold identification parades. Defense lawyers opposed the request, noting that the detainees had already spent more than 40 days in custody. They said police had repeatedly asked for adjournments and had failed to bring the workers to court during hearings. The lawyers argued that the workers were innocent and had been arrested deliberately, and they claimed police could label anyone as a PTI worker at will. They urged the court to enforce its earlier order. The workers had been detained in cases registered at the Shalimar and Secretariat police stations in Islamabad.

In a separate development, a Special Anti‑Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi cancelled the interim bails of PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjutha and former MPA Fakhar Jahan. The court took this step after both men repeatedly missed hearings in cases linked to political protests in late 2024. Panjutha faces two cases registered at the Saddar Hasan Abdal Police Station, and his bail applications were dismissed due to his non‑appearance. Jahan’s interim bail was revoked in a case from the Hazro Police Station concerning the November 26 protests, also because he continued to be absent. Hearings in the remaining protest‑related matters were postponed to a later date.