Islamabad court dismisses pre-arrest bail of Asad Qaiser in terrorism case

ISLAMABAD - The Anti-Terrorism Court dismissed former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser's pre-arrest bail petition on Thursday in a terrorism case linked to the PTI's Sangjani rally. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra made the decision after Qaiser's attorney filed an application for the former speaker to be exempt from personal appearances.

The judge pointed out that Qaiser had not been in court since February and noted that the exemption application lacked his signature. The court subsequently rejected the application and dismissed Qaiser's pre-arrest bail petition. Meanwhile, two PTI National Assembly members, Adil Bazai and Dawar Kundi, have sought protection against detention under the Maintenance of Public Order law in an Islamabad High Court case.

Their attorneys, former federal minister Babar Awan, filed separate petitions on their behalf, challenging the legality of the September 20 detention orders issued by the Islamabad deputy commissioner. The lawmakers request the high court to declare the detention orders invalid and ensure their safety during detention, including access to legal counsel and necessary prison regulations.