ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has ordered passports blocked for 24 PTI-affiliated lawmakers and other nominated suspects.
The order relates to a case registered at Kohsar Police Station. ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain issued the directions.
The court instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to block the passports until further orders. The decision followed a request from the police investigating team.
The investigating officer told the court that some suspects had not appeared before the court. Others had secured interim bail but allegedly failed to join the investigation.
The police argued that the suspects could leave Pakistan to avoid legal proceedings. The investigating officer sought action to prevent them from leaving the country.
After reviewing the available record, the court accepted the request. The order noted that the accused had been nominated in the case.
Those named include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Other prominent names include Asad Qaiser and Omar Ayub.
The list also includes Sheram Taqi, Shah Ahmed and Sher Ali Arbab. Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, Dr Amjad Ali and Junaid Akbar are also among those named.
Shahid Khattak, Zubair Wazir and Arshad Umarzai are also included. The order further names Zar Alam, Mian Umar and Akhtar Khan.
Humayun Khan, Riaz Khan and Abdul Kabir Khan are also among the nominated individuals. Tufail Anjum and Asif Mehsud are included as well.
The list also includes Ajab Gul, Muhammad Usman and Babar Saleem Swati. Irfan Saleem, Advocate Ali Zaman and Malik Shahab are also named.
According to the court order, the case involves serious allegations. These include attacks on state institutions and promotion of terrorism.
However, the allegations have not been proven in court. The accused remain entitled to due legal process.
The court has not made a final determination of guilt against the suspects. Their legal responsibility will be decided through the ongoing proceedings.
The Passports Blocked order could restrict the named individuals from travelling abroad. It remains effective until further orders from the court.
The development adds another legal challenge for PTI-affiliated lawmakers and other nominated suspects. The case will continue as the investigation and court proceedings move forward.
In other news read more about Over 100 PTI Activists Detained Ahead of September 27 Islamabad March
The Passports Blocked measure is linked specifically to the ongoing case. Further proceedings could determine the next legal steps against the accused.
