ISLAMABAD: Former Senator of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Azam Khan Swati on Friday got major relief from different courts of Islamabad as the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) clubbed all his bail petitions and invited arguments on Saturday (today).

ATC Judge Tahir Abbasi Sipra was told that since October 5, Swati was under arrest and was nominated in 12 cases, with the recent court proceedings revealing an additional FIR filed against him at Margalla police station, which his defence claims was not disclosed to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

During the course of the hearing, Judge Sipra addressed the complexity of the cases, referencing a recent order from the Islamabad High Court mandating judicial proceedings in seven cases against Swati.

However, Swati’s lawyer argued that two case details were withheld from the High Court record.

He warned that he would file a contempt of court petition over this alleged oversight, asserting that the police failed to provide a complete record.

When questioned, the investigating officer reported Swati’s recent arrest, explaining that information on the additional FIR, dated October 5, was not communicated due to a departmental oversight.

Judge Sipra was critical of the investigative process, emphasising that the police should verify financial assistance allegations against Swati through bank statements.

In a related development, IHC Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, has granted protective bail to Swati, preventing the police from arresting him in cases registered in Attock and Hassanabdal.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024