Rajab Butt appeared before the court seeking protective bail, which was authorised, with the court directing authorities not to take him into custody.

The court also ordered him to submit surety bonds of Rs50,000 and granted bail until the next hearing, according to his lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq.

During proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that Rajab Butt is a law-abiding citizen and should be protected from arrest while facing trial.

The development comes after a sessions court had earlier cancelled his interim bail, the lawyer added.

The case against Rajab Butt was registered at Karachi’s Haideri police station.