Islamabad: Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad has extended bail before arrest of PTI leaders till July 22 in November 26 protest case besides restraining the police from arresting them. As many as 229 bail before arrest pleas of PTI leaders in the cases related to November 26 protest came up for hearing in ATC Islamabad Tuesday.

Duty judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard these petitions as duty judge due to non availability of judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain. The court while extending interim bail of PTI leaders till July 22 restrained the police from arresting these PTI leaders till this date. The court directed counsels for the respondents to give arguments on next hearing.

The hearing on all bail before arrest pleas was adjourned till July 22. Exemption from attendance pleas were filed by PTI leaders Bushra Bibi, Omar Ayub, Shehr Yar Afridi and Eman Wasim. While Seemabia Tahir, Zartaj Gul, Mashal Yousufzai, Suleman Akram, Raja Basharat, Umair Niazi, Sher Ali Arbab, Shehram Tarakai, Ali Bokhari, Rauf Hassan, Naeem Panjutha, Aliya Hamza, Dawar Khan, Fazal Muhammad Khan and others appeared in the court.

These cases are registered in police stations Karachi Company, Ramna, Secretariat, Tarnol and others.

The court dismissed bail before arrest plea of PTI leader and MNA Abdul Latif Chitrali, The court maintained that Abdul Latif Chitrali is convicted and sentenced in May 9 case. He has not surrendered himself so far. However a person who escapes from law cannot be given relief. The defense counsel requested to withdraw the petition. The court remarked this petition cannot be withdrawn now. The next hearing will be held on July 22 and court will hear the arguments.