ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has ordered the blocking of passports belonging to 24 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in connection with a case related to the November 26, 2024 protest.
The order covers several prominent PTI figures, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, former opposition leader Omar Ayub and Junaid Akbar.
The protest was held as PTI supporters sought to pressure the government for the release of party founder Imran Khan, who has remained incarcerated since August 2023 and faces multiple cases.
Court cites risk of suspects fleeing
During Monday’s hearing, ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain noted that available records showed the accused had been nominated in the case.
The investigating officer told the court that the suspects could leave the country to avoid legal proceedings.
The court observed that the accused faced serious allegations, including attacks on state institutions and promoting terrorism. It also noted that several accused had failed to appear before the court, while those who had secured interim bail had allegedly not joined the investigation.
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After hearing the investigating officer’s request, the court ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to block the passports of the accused until further orders.
PTI lawmakers among those affected
The order includes lawmakers Shehram Tarakai, Shah Ahmed, Sher Ali Arbab, Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, Dr Amjad Ali, Junaid Akbar, Shahid Khattak and Zubair Wazir.
Other individuals named in the order include Arshad Umarzai, Zar Alam, Mian Umar, Akhtar Khan, Humayun Khan, Riaz Khan, Abdul Kabir Khan, Tufail Anjum, Asif Mehsud, Ajab Gul, Muhammad Usman, Babar Saleem Swati, Irfan Saleem, Advocate Ali Zaman and Malik Shahab.
The November 26 protest had resulted in clashes between PTI supporters and security personnel in Islamabad, with the party demanding Imran Khan’s release and other political concessions.
The court’s decision means the FIA will keep the passports blocked unless a subsequent court order changes or lifts the restriction.
