Pakistan's capital police defy court order, rearrest opposition protesters

Islamabad police rearrested several protesters from Pakistan's main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Saturday despite their release on bail by an anti-terrorism court (ATC).

The arrests were part of a broader operation targeting 203 PTI workers, who had been presented before the court following an identification parade remand.

The protesters were initially detained during and after PTI's November 24 ‘Final Call’ rally, which demanded an investigation into alleged electoral irregularities and the release of party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The court had discharged 81 protesters, sent 56 to judicial custody, and placed 48 on a two-day physical remand. However, police began rearresting those discharged immediately outside the court premises.

Advocate Ansar Kiyani, a member of PTI's legal team, claimed all 81 individuals discharged with court orders prohibiting their rearrest were taken into custody again.

However, Islamabad police spokesperson Taqi Jawad told Nukta that only those facing charges in other cases were rearrested.

A recent bail approval for minors, including a 14-year-old Afghan on a medical visa, had been seen as a positive development before these events unfolded.

As some of the released individuals were leaving the Federal Judicial Complex on Saturday, police deployed fresh contingents and ordered media personnel to stop recording.

SHO Ashfaq Warraich threatened journalists with arrest, warning they would be "nominated in the November 26 FIR" if they continued filming.

Advocate Fateh Ullah Burki criticized the police actions, stating, "Police tried to re-arrest PTI workers despite court orders barring them unless they had warrants or the individuals were named in other FIRs."

PTI’s legal team managed to escort some workers back into the court complex for protection.

"We will have to file a contempt of court petition if Islamabad police continue arresting discharged PTI workers," Burki added, expressing particular concern about the re-arrest of minors.

*Reporting by Ali Hamza