A judicial magistrate approved on Saturday bail applications of 162 Baloch protesters who were arrested by the Islamabad police on Wednesday night.

Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas approved the bail and directed the protesters to submit Rs5,000 worth of surety bonds. The Apex Law Associates had filed bail applications for them, according to Islamabad police.

At least 50 Baloch women protesters have been released, following the orders of Islamabad High Court on Friday, BBC Urdu reported earlier in the day.

Earlier, the Islamabad police had informed the high court that no women were in their custody and everyone was released. But Islamabad Inspector General of Police Akbar Nisar informed the IHC on Friday that “no women were in their custody.”

Attaullah Kundi, the lawyer from the arrested protesters of the Baloch Yakjheti March, had informed the court police forced all the women to board the buses. He quoted the SSP as saying that they have orders from the caretaker prime minister to send protesters back to Balochistan.

In response to the judge’s query, the IGP replied that the bus was arranged for those who wanted to return. “Where are all the people? Inform the court about them,” IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had asked during a hearing of the case.

According to BBC Urdu, Baloch social activist Dr Mahrang Baloch was also among the released protesters.

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Social activist Saira Baloch, who was also released, informed the international news outlet that they were tortured by policemen in the Women Police Station. She claimed that police warned them against dire consequences if they did not return.

In a statement, the federal capital police alleged that there was an organised false information campaign launched against them.

“No women or children were subjected to any mal-treatment at any time during Baloch Yakjehti March on 21-22 of December,” police spokesperson said in a post on X. “None of them was harmed at any place.”

All women had been sent with their relatives or friends with care, they claimed and added that all men have been produced before the court of law and shall be released through due process as per directions of ministerial committee formed by the interim prime minister.

“Baseless propaganda will not deter Police to perform their lawful duties of maintenance of law, order and peace in ICT,” it said.