ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended the imprisonment sentence of ten accused in cases registered against them in protest after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.

A division bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan suspended the sentences and approved the bails against surety bonds worth Rs 25,000 each. It may be mentioned here that an Anti-Terrorism Court has announced collectively five years and ten-month jail term for the accused in November 2024. The accused were alleged to have attacked the police and set fire to a police checkpoint near Faizabad. The IHC stated that, according to the case record, not a single accused was arrested from the crime scene.

The lawyers told the court that the accused were acquitted of terrorism sections and awarded minor sentences. The order said that the trial court announced the sentences based on CCTV footage and other evidence. He prayed the court to reject the defence lawyer’s request to suspend the sentences.

In case of having Afghan nationality, the deputy registrar would keep the identity document with him, it added. The court also directed all appellants to ensure their attendance before the court on every hearing.