Aliya, 2 others sent to Adiala jail

RAWALPINDI: Civil Judge Dr Mumtaz Hanjra has sent three accused including Aliya Hamza, chief organizer of the PTI Punjab, to the Adiala Jail on judicial remand in a case of rioting, sloganeering, blocking a road, pelting stones at police and disturbing public order, while two accused named in the case were discharged.

On the other hand, the hearing on the bail petition of Aliya Hamza was adjourned until April 22. The court summoned the case Challan from the investigating officer on May 3.

On Saturday, Aliya and other accused were presented in the court. Police requested sending Aliya to jail on judicial remand, while accused Shamim Aftab and driver Muhammad Ahmed were discharged from the case. Aliya’s lawyers opposed sending her to jail on judicial remand. No government lawyer was present in the court. Aliya’s lawyer Tabish Farooq filed an application stating that she went to the Women’s Police Station as a lawyer but was not allowed inside. Thus, police violated the law by not opening the gate and not listening to her complaint, on which the court should order legal action.

The petitioner said police arrested Aliya on Friday night from a function, after which she has nowhere to be found, so a report should be sought from the Women’s Police Station. However, the court sent Aliya, Noman and Adil Munir to jail on judicial remand.

The Airport Police Station registered a case on Friday on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Afzal under Sections 353, 341, 186, 147 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code, alleging that 30/35 people blocked a road near Dhok Kamal Din and shouted slogans. When they tried to stop them, they pelted stones at police and created ruckus. Hamza, Shamim Aftab, Muhammad Zahid, Noman and Adil Munir were arrested on the spot while others escaped.

According to police sources, Aliya and two PTI workers including Sameer Abbasi were detained from the Gulzar-i-Quaid area. The arrests were made in connection with a case registered on multiple charges. Her arrest follows a protest she organised in Rawalpindi on Friday, expressing solidarity with Palestine and condemning the ongoing war in Gaza.