KARACHI: While dismissing the bail pleas of 38 suspects arrested after violence during an anti-encroachment drive at Shafiq Mor, an anti-terrorism judge observed that one of the defence counsel had allegedly announced “bail granted” in a video posted on social media, two days before the pronouncement of the order, terming the act “highly deplorable”.

After hearing arguments from the defence counsel representing a total of 38 suspects and state prosecutor Nasrullah Majeed, the ATC-Judge VII dismissed all bail applications as he observed that the suspects had “designed serious interfere to use public utility service and involves serious coercion of public servant in order to force him to discharge his lawful duties” which fall within the ambit of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

According to the state prosecutor, one of the defence counsel, Abdul Jaleel Khan Marwat, had recorded a video within the court premises on Aug 15 after the hearing and allegedly announced that bail had been granted to the suspects. He termed it a “fake announcement”, saying the court had adjourned the matter until Aug 17 for orders.

The judge also noted in the order sheet that both the defence counsel and state prosecutor had pointed out before the court that a video had been uploaded on social media by one of the defence counsel, showing the court premises and “making fake announcements on behalf of this court”.

The act was termed “highly deplorable” by the ATC judge, who remarked that “such things are tantamount to violating the sanctity of the court”.

Reasoning for dismissing the bail pleas, the judge observed that due to the act of the suspects, the police official had received injuries.

The court also noted that as per contents of all FIRs it was established that the government official along with police party reached at the place of the incident just to remove the encroachment which was creating obstructions for the general public but due to the resistance, the incident took place.

It added that as per FIRs, suspect Jaffar Shah along with his accomplices reached at the spot and blocked the road and allegedly started firing.

“Accused persons with their common intention reached at the spot and deterred the government and police officials to discharge from their duties. There is no enmity between police officials and accused persons to falsely involve them in these cases. From the contents of FIRs it appears that accused persons have challenged the writ of the state,” the court observed.

According to the police, the district administration carried out an anti-encroachment drive on Shah Waliullah Road at Haji Agha Hotel within the limits of Samanabad on Aug 7.

During the drive, the owner of the hotel and his employees allegedly put up resistance and attacked both police and district administration officials, resulting in injuries to SHO Hyderi Market Adeel Ahmed, constable Asif and one administration official.

The police took immediate action and arrested the hotel owner along with other suspects. After their arrest, some other armed suspects had allegedly blocked Shah Waliullah Road and F.B. Industrial Area Road illegally, attacked the police with stones and resorted to firing at the police.

Three identical FIRs were registered on rioting, terrorism and other charges, while a separate FIR was registered for possession of illicit weapon at Samanabad police station.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2026