CJ remarked that can the army be involved in politics according to the constitution?
IHC grants Shahbaz Gill post-arrest bail in sedition case. Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahbaz Gill in sedition case.
IHC resumed hearing on the case for inciting to rebel against state institution field against Shahbaz Gill on Thursday.
The lawyer of the accused, Salman Safdar said in arguments that Gill’s bail plea was rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge. He said 14 provisions have been imposed in the case, while the investigation is over and no further recovery is to be made.
The lawyer added that the entire case revolves around a speech.
On which, Chief Justice Athar Minallah inquired whether Shahbaz Gill had uttered any of those words. Could the words used by him be justified?
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The Chief Justice further remarked that can the army be involved in politics according to the constitution? It was not merely a speech, he said.
Defending the accused the lawyer argued that some part of Gill’s conversation was taken out of context. Nowhere did he try to ridicule the arm forces, adding that Shahbaz Gill mentioned the names of the senior leadership of PML-N in his conversation and the case was registered against the PTI leader in malice and propaganda.
The court remarked that watching the speech shows to what extent have the political parties increased hatred.
The Chief Justice said that the previous government had also framed sedition cases and so is the incumbent. He further posed questions that after Shahbaz Gill’s speech, the investigation found contact with someone or has there been any conflicting material against Shahbaz Gill yet?
Later, after completing the remarks and hearing the arguments of both sides, IHC granted Shahbaz Gill post-arrest bail and ordered to release him on a surety bond of five lakh rupees.
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