Imaan Mazari Granted Bail, Ali Wazir Sent to Judicial Remand

A district and sessions court in Islamabad has sent a former member of the National Assembly, Ali Wazir, to judicial remand while granting bail to human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari in a case related to damage to government property. Judge Waqas Ahmed Raja announced the decision after a hearing on Wednesday.

The case revolves around the events following a rally organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on August 18. Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari were arrested late on the night of August 19 on various charges, including making statements against state institutions and inciting people.

Judge Raja’s verdict sent Ali Wazir to Adiala Jail on judicial remand while granting bail to Imaan Mazari against a surety bond of Rs30,000. The case in question was registered at the Tarnol Police Station.

The arrests came after the PTM rally, where both detainees delivered charged speeches. The rally participants were accused of attempting to “interfere in state affairs.” They were booked under various Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) sections. The First Information Report (FIR) stated that several rally participants were armed with sticks and weapons, and they attempted to defy authorities and march on the capital. This resulted in blocking the main highway, GT Road, and holding a rally in the middle of the road.

The court hearing on Sunday took place amid heightened security and media restrictions. The prosecutor requested the judge to remand Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari in police custody. Additionally, a second FIR was presented to the judge during the hearing, containing allegations of sedition and terrorism.

The second FIR was registered by Islamabad’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) under various sections of the PPC and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. It claimed that Imaan Mazari and other PTM leaders attempted to incite rebellion at the Friday rally, threatened state organs, and promoted terrorism. The FIR alleged that they used derogatory language against state institutions to spread hatred, fan terrorism, incite rebellion, spark civil war and disobedience, and motivate people to resort to an armed struggle.

In light of this FIR, Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari were presented in Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court-1 (ATC). The ATC hearing was presided over by Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain. Following the ATC hearing, a local court granted the police three days of physical remand for Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari.

The case has attracted significant attention due to its implications for freedom of speech, the right to protest, and the boundaries of political expression. The charges against Ali Wazir and Imaan Mazari raise queries about the balance between individual rights and state security concerns, sparking a debate about properly handling dissent and public demonstrations. As the legal proceedings continue, many eyes are on the case to understand its broader implications for civil liberties and the rule of law in Pakistan.

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