PTI’s Haleem Adil Shaikh gets interim bail in Karachi rioting case

KARACHI: A sessions court in Karachi on Wednesday granted interim bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Haleem Adil Shaikh in a rioting case linked to a protest against the recent increase in fuel prices.

Shaikh, who serves as the PTI’s provincial president, moved an application before Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) Syed Waqar Hyder, seeking pre-arrest bail in the case.

After an initial hearing, the court allowed interim bail against a surety of Rs10,000 along with a personal recognisance bond.

The court also issued notices to the prosecution and the investigating officer, directing them to appear with a police report. The matter was fixed for April 13 for confirmation or otherwise of the interim relief.

Case linked to protest near Karachi Press Club

The case relates to a PTI protest held near the Karachi Press Club over the latest fuel price hike. According to police, around 100 to 150 PTI workers, led by Haleem Adil Shaikh, assembled at Fawara Chowk on Abdullah Haroon Road carrying banners and sticks and tried to move towards the Karachi Press Club.

Police said officers attempted to stop the participants and informed them that Section 144 had been imposed in the Red Zone by the Sindh government, prohibiting rallies in the area. They said the protesters were asked to disperse.

According to the police version, the demonstrators then turned violent and attacked police personnel with sticks and stones, after which additional police force was called in.

Police later detained PTI workers and leaders following clashes with law enforcement and registered a rioting case at the Artillery Maidan police station.

Court proceedings

The bail application was heard by Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) Syed Waqar Hyder. Following the preliminary proceedings, the court granted temporary protection from arrest to the PTI leader and sought the prosecution’s response before taking up the matter again.

The hearing has been scheduled for April 13, when the court will decide whether to confirm the interim bail or pass another order in the case.

The case stems from the demonstration organised against higher fuel prices, which led to the registration of criminal proceedings after the protest near the Karachi Press Club turned into a confrontation, according to police.