Key Takeaways
- An anti-terrorism court handed former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and others to police on a three-day physical remand.
- The case is related to a protest that led to clashes with police in Islamabad’s F-10 area.
- A FIR was registered at Shalimar Police Station accusing Mushtaq of making incendiary speeches and leading protesters against the government.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has handed over former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and other suspects to police on a three-day physical remand, according to Dawn.
The decision was made following a case registered by Sub-inspector Ghulam Murtaza at Shalimar Police Station on July 31. The FIR alleged that Mushtaq led a protest of around 400-500 people in the capital’s F-10 area, making incendiary speeches and forcing shops to close.
The court granted the police three-day physical remand for the suspects and directed them to appear before the court again upon completion of this period. The prosecution requested a 30-day remand but was not granted by the judge.
During the protest, according to the FIR, Mushtaq allegedly led protesters to Sambal Road with intentions to march towards Main Jinnah Avenue Road and block roads. The district administration reportedly told him through a loudspeaker to end the gathering as it lacked a no-objection certificate (NOC).
The FIR further accused the protesters of vandalizing a media DSNG vehicle, pelting stones at passing cars, and attacking police officials. Some protesters are said to have snatched away anti-riot helmets from personnel and threatened them.
Last Wednesday, Mushtaq’s Pakistan Rights Movement (PRM) alleged that he had been detained by Punjab police on July 28 in Kahuta Bazaar while returning from Azad Pattan Bridge after being denied entry into AJK. However, senior police officers in Punjab denied his custody and said they were not aware of any such incident.
Mushtaq’s X account later announced that he had been released the following day, but this was contradicted by the police. Following this, Mushtaq had called for a gathering on July 31 to express condolences, solidarity with Kashmir, and support for peace and reconciliation in Islamabad’s F-10 area.
In a related incident last week, activists in Lahore were detained while holding a peaceful demonstration outside the press club to show solidarity with the proscribed Jamaat-e-Ahrar (JAAC).
