ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Tuesday ordered FIA to release Imaan Mazari and sent a former member of the National Assembly, Ali Wazir, on judicial remand in a sedition case.
Duty Judge Waqas Ahmed Raja, announcing his reserved verdict, approved Imaan Mazari’s bail against submission of surety bonds worth Rs30,000. Meanwhile, Ali Wazir was sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
Earlier, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad had placed Imaan Mazari and Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Ali Wazir in police custody for a three-day physical remand. Their arrests had occurred a few hours after their arrest from the federal capital late on Saturday night (August 19, 2023), stemming from various charges.
Sedition Case Against Imaan Mazari
Imaan, a female lawyer, was presented before the court today after the expiration of her initial remand. During the hearing, Imaan’s legal representative highlighted that she was facing charges in two separate cases of a similar nature.
Imaan’s lawyer told the court that police failed to recover anything in physical remand, the police were now seeking a 10-day extension for their client’s remand. Imaan lawyer opposed the police request and requested the court to grant her client bail.
It is noteworthy that these arrests followed a rally organized by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on Friday (August 18), during which the detained individuals delivered impassioned speeches. They are accused of making statements against state institutions and inciting public sentiments.
The Islamabad Capital Police released a statement on Sunday morning via the platform formerly known as Twitter, now known as X, stating, “Islamabad Capital Police has arrested Ali Wazir and Iman Mazari. Both the accused were wanted by the Islamabad Police for investigation. All action will be taken in accordance with the law.”
