ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has directed the police to return Shahbaz Gill, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), his belongings — seized during investigations of a sedition case he is facing for remarks critical of the army.
The case against Gill follows his arrest late on August 9, a day after he, during a current-affairs programme broadcast by ARY News TV, suggested the ruling coalition was behind a smear campaign against the army. He appeared to be suggesting that army officers should not follow “illegal and unconstitutional orders” coming from the top brass.
He was subsequently accused of “hateful statements against the army” and of trying to “incite soldiers against military” structures.
He was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on September 15 after spending over a month in prison.
The directive to return the belongings came in response to Gill’s plea seeking the possession of some 31 items — including spectacles and identity and ATM cards — seized during a raid by the police.
