PHC grants transit bail to Omar Ayub, others

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday granted transit bail to the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, Mishal Yousafzai, former provincial minister Wazirzada and journalist Sami Ibrahim.

A single bench consisting of Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard the bail petitions.

He directed the petitioners to appear before the relevant courts by November 7. Omar Ayub Khan’s counsel informed the court that his client intended to appear before the relevant courts but feared being arrested.

Granting the request for transit bail, the court ordered Omar Ayub to appear before the relevant courts by November 7.

The chief justice also heard the petitions of Barrister Saif, Mishal Yousafzai, Wazirzada, and Sami Ibrahim.

A lawyer representing them argued that his clients intended to appear before the relevant courts and had requested bail to ensure their attendance without the risk of being arrested. The court accepted their requests and directed them to appear before the appropriate courts by the same date.

Meanwhile, talking to the media outside the PHC, Omar Ayub accused the government of using coercion and intimidation to push through constitutional amendments. He called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to clarify their involvement in these tactics.

“If you are not behind this oppression, then you should clarify our position,” he demanded. Omar Ayub said that if the government wanted to introduce constitutional amendments, it should engage in dialogue rather than resorting to use of force and intimidation.

“Our members are being targeted and arrested. Bribes are being offered to our assembly members to secure their votes for the amendments,” Ayub claimed.

He said the government lacked the numbers required to pass the constitutional amendments.

He backed the suggestion by JUIF head Maulana Fazlur Rahman to involve the bar council in the discussion on the proposed amendments.

Speaking on the occasion, Barrister Saif said that those dreaming of dismantling the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were living in a fool’s paradise.

He condemned the increasing number of cases being filed against those who spoke the truth and stood for the right.

“The people of Pakistan are standing against fascism,” he said. Barrister Saif said that PTI members and leaders were facing numerous legal cases.

He also claimed that PTI legislators were being harassed for refusing to support constitutional amendments.

“The government, formed with the help of the Election Commission under Form 47, is filing cases against those who dare to speak the truth,” he said, accusing authorities of trying to silence dissent through intimidation.

He said the PTI was a strong political force and it cannot be disbanded.“PTI is a reality, and those who dream of eliminating it are simply chasing illusions," he remarked.