ATC grants bail to Mushtaq Ahmad, 95 others in AJK case
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted post-arrest bail to all 96 suspects after hearing their applications. The suspects were arrested over allegations linked to a protest held in Islamabad against unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The case was registered at Shalimar Police Station on July 31 under terrorism-related sections. Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad is among those named in the case.
According to the first information report (FIR), Ahmad allegedly led a crowd of around 400 to 500 people in Sector F-10. He was also accused of making “incendiary” speeches through loudspeakers and encouraging protesters to continue their gathering.
The FIR further alleged that the protesters forced shops to close and raised slogans against “current government institutions”. The allegations remain part of the case and have not been established as fact by a final court ruling.
Court grants bail to all 96 suspects
ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail applications and approved them for all 96 accused. The court granted bail against surety bonds of Rs5,000 for each suspect.
Lawyer Imran Shafiq represented Mushtaq Ahmad and another accused, Razi Tahir, during the proceedings. Public Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared for the prosecution, while other suspects were represented by Sardar Bushik, Zahid Bashir Dar and Amina Ali.
The bail decision comes after the former senator had previously been handed over to police on physical remand. On August 3, the court had approved a three-day remand of Ahmad for investigation.
The prosecution had requested a 30-day physical remand at that stage. It argued that investigators needed more time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly connected with the case.
The court, however, had granted a shorter period of remand before the latest development involving bail.
What does the FIR allege?
The FIR gives details of the events that allegedly took place on July 31. It states that Mushtaq Ahmad led protesters towards Sambal Road, with the alleged intention of moving towards Main Jinnah Avenue Road.
The prosecution claimed that the protesters planned to block roads during the demonstration. The district administration allegedly used a loudspeaker to ask Ahmad to end the gathering because it was being held without a no-objection certificate (NOC).
According to the FIR, the protesters later blocked a main road near Shalimar Plaza at around 7:10 pm. The report also accused some protesters of damaging a media DSNG vehicle and other private cars.
The protesters were further accused of throwing stones at police officials and “attacking” personnel. Some individuals were allegedly involved in taking anti-riot helmets from police officers and threatening them.
These allegations form the basis of the prosecution’s case. The bail order, however, means the accused will remain free during the proceedings, subject to the conditions imposed by the court.
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Case now moves to the next stage
The bail decision does not end the case against Mushtaq Ahmad or the other suspects. The allegations will continue to be examined through the legal process, while the prosecution will have to establish its claims before the court.
The case has attracted attention because it involves a former senator and a large number of people arrested in connection with the same protest. The use of terrorism-related provisions has also added significance to the proceedings.
For the accused, the bail order provides temporary relief from detention. The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented and the decisions made by the court as the case progresses.
