PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday granted “protective bail” to PTI’s nominee for the Punjab Chief Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal in 19 cases registered against him in Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Lahore.
A single-judge bench of PHC, comprising Justice Waqar Ahmed presided over the proceedings of the petition wherein Mian Aslam Iqbal appeared in the court room after remaining in hiding for quite some time. The petitioner’s legal counsel highlighted the extensive legal challenges facing his client.
During the hearing, the court probed into the timeline of events post-May 9, questioning the efforts to locate Iqbal. Additional Advocate General disclosed that Iqbal had remained in hiding until his recent appearance, prompting Justice Waqar Ahmed to express surprise at the inability to track his whereabouts. The court, however, granted protective bail to Aslam Iqbal.
With a staggering 19 cases registered against him in Punjab, Mian Aslam Iqbal’s proactive move to seek bail underscores the intensity of the legal scrutiny surrounding his candidacy for the chief ministership.
In relation to the incidents on May 9, 2023, a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court has declared 11 PTI leaders, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, as absconders. The incidents involved violent clashes and protests erupting nationwide following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In a parallel development, the Peshawar High Court also extended bail to Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed, ordering him to furnish a bond of one lakh rupees. The decision came following Javed’s appearance in court, where he faced charges stemming from a case lodged at the Bani Gala police station. Civil Judge Qudratullah suspended the arrest warrant against Javed and adjourned further proceedings until March 13, offering a temporary respite amidst the legal turmoil.
