ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard a petition filed by PTI leader Shahbaz Gill seeking post-arrest bail in the sedition case against him for statements against armed forces.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the bail application. Gill lawyer Shoaib Sheen and Ahmed Panosta appeared before the court. During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyers argued that Gill was arrested by the Kohsar police station on August 9.

SHO Kohsar police station, City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza, and other parties were made respondents on the application filed by Gill. In his petition, Shahbaz Gill maintained that he is Chief of Staff of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He maintained that he was examined by the medical board comprising of senior doctors of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on August 17. He added that the medical boards of Adiala Jail and PIMS stated there was evidence of torture on him.

He urged the court to grant him post-arrest bail till the final verdict in the case. The court issued notice to all respondents and adjourned hearing.

Gill was arrested on August 9 after a sedition case was registered against him at the Kohsar police station over his controversial remarks against the armed forces during a TV show.

Earlier, a district and sessions court of Islamabad had rejected the PTI leader’s bail plea in the sedition case, stating that his statement was “sufficient for disturbing harmony and discipline” in the Pakistan Army.

According to the detailed order, Gill’s counsel had also offered an apology. The prosecutor said the PTI leader had also accepted the transcript of the programme.

The court observed that the accused had prima facie committed a crime under Section 131, which was a non-bailable offence and that there was solid evidence against him.

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