PHC grants protective bail to PTI senator

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday granted protective bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed and directed the federal government to provide details of cases registered against him.

A two-member bench comprising Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Faheem Wali heard his writ petition to seek protective bail and the details of the cases registered against him. During the hearing, Justice SM Attique Shah expressed concern over the alarming state of unemployment among youth in Pakistan and called for the need for strategic planning.

Addressing Senator Faisal Javed, Justice Shah remarked, “Seventy percent of the country’s youth is unemployed. Many are falling into the trap of drug addiction. Immediate and robust action is needed to empower the youth with skills. India is excelling in IT education, earning $380 billion from the sector. Universities alone are not enough; skill development programs are essential.”

Appearing for the petitioner, Alam Khan Advocate argued that the government had failed to provide the details of the cases filed against the senator following the PTI’s protests on November 24.

The lawyer said multiple FIRs were registered against his client, but the details remained undisclosed.When questioned by the court, Faisal Javed informed the bench that he hailed from Swabi’s Zaida.

Justice Shah, while addressing him, added, “This province’s youth deserve better opportunities. Let’s sit together and work for solutions. The situation in Kurram and other areas is worsening. Skill development initiatives must be prioritized for the youth.”

Faisal Javed acknowledged the remarks and said, “The youth are indeed the nation’s asset. Immediate measures are the need of the hour to address their challenges and uplift their skills.”

The bench granted protective bail to Faisal Javed, restraining authorities from arresting him and directing the federal government to submit case details within 14 days. Similar protective bail applications were also filed by other PTI leaders including Chaudhry Bilal and caretaker of Imran Khan’s Banigala residence, Rizwan, were also approved until January 28.

The lawyer informed the court that 48 FIRs had been registered against the petitioners, but detailed information was not provided. The court instructed the petitioners to approach the relevant courts for further details and ordered their compliance with the legal process.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Senator Faisal Javed criticised the federal government and said; “The federal government has set a global record for political victimisation. Cases against our chairman have reached an unprecedented level, but he will emerge victorious.”

“Negotiations cannot proceed while our workers are being arrested and such tactics must stop,” he said, adding access to the internet was a fundamental right, and its shutdown causes economic losses to the country.