Islamabad ATC grants bail to Mushtaq Ahmad, 95 others over AJK protest
Former senator faces charges under provisions of PPC, Peaceful Assembly, Public Order Act, Anti-Terrorism Act
An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday granted bail to former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and 95 others accused of participating in an anti-Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) protest in Sector F-10. The case was registered at Shalimar Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail applications, while prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani represented the prosecution.
All 96 suspects were granted bail against a surety bond of Rs5,000 each. The protest, organized by Ahmad at F-10 Markaz, aimed to show sympathy for Kashmir and included student organizations, journalists, and Kashmiris living in Islamabad. The gathering led to the registration of a case, with the FIR alleging that protesters blocked roads, resisted police, and created a law-and-order situation.
The case includes several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, as well as Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Ahmad's detention in July 30, after being stopped from entering AJK, and his subsequent release after more than 24 hours drew nationwide attention. He later returned to Islamabad and hosted a rally in support of the protest. The court extended his physical remand by four days on August 6, pending further investigation.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
