The first information report (FIR) was registered at Islamabad’s Shalimar Police Station on July 31 under provisions related to terrorism.
According to the FIR, former senator Mushtaq Ahmad led a crowd of around 400 to 500 people in Sector F-10. He was also accused of making “incendiary” speeches over loudspeakers, forcing shops to close and chanting slogans against “current government institutions”.
On Monday, Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Abual Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the bail applications filed by the suspects and granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs5,000 each.
Advocate Imran Shafiq represented Mushtaq Ahmad and Razi Tahir during the proceedings. Public Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani appeared for the prosecution, while Sardar Bushik, Zahid Bashir Dar and Amina Ali represented other suspects.
Mushtaq had previously been handed over to police on a three-day physical remand on August 3. The prosecution had requested a 30-day physical remand, arguing that investigators needed time to recover a vehicle and weapons allegedly linked to the case.
The FIR alleged that Mushtaq led protesters towards Sambal Road on July 31 with the intention of marching towards Main Jinnah Avenue Road and blocking traffic. It further stated that the district administration used a loudspeaker to direct him to disperse the gathering, which was allegedly being held without a no-objection certificate (NOC).
According to the FIR, protesters later blocked a main road near Shalimar Plaza at around 7:10pm and allegedly vandalised a media DSNG vehicle and several private cars.
The report also accused protesters of pelting stones at police and assaulting officers, with some individuals allegedly taking anti-riot helmets from personnel and issuing threats.
