Islamabad court grants bail to 86 PTI police van escapees

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Tuesday accepted the bail petitions of 86 prisoners, most of whom belonged to the PTI, who had managed to escape from three police vans near Islamabad a few days ago, but were recaptured, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Those who escaped included two members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) belonging to the PTI, 34 police personnel and 42 rescue personnel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard the bail pleas.

Unidentified gunmen had on Friday ambushed the police vans, carrying the PTI leaders and workers, who had been detained following the party’s protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, at Sangjani Toll Plaza.

Resultantly, several prisoners, including three MPAs Anwar Zeb, Malik Liaquat and Yasir Qureshi, managed to escape.

The prisoners were being transported to Attock Jail following court appearances. "Armed assailants, seemingly lying in wait, opened fire as the prison vans reached Sangjani," stated a police official, adding, “The attackers targeted the vehicles' tyres, forcing them to halt, while police officers escorting the prisoners sustained injuries and were subsequently taken to a hospital.

PTI Women Wing holds protest rally outside Adiala Jail

(PTI women wing members held a protest rally outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday demanding release of party founder Imran Khan.

The protest rally was headed by ex-Member National Assembly (MNA) Kanwal Shauzab.

Participants of protest chanted slogans in favour of Imran Khan and also demanded his early release.

Women police team who was present there asked them to avoid blocking traffic and clear the road as soon as possible.

But PTI protesters ignored their instructions and continued their protest rally.

Reporters: Hashir Ahsan and Irshad Qureshi