A Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court has released five Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including prominent opposition figure Omar Ayub Khan, who were arrested the previous night.

The court also issued contempt notices to five police officers, barring them from arresting any suspects within a 500-meter radius of Adiala Jail during future hearings.

The five PTI leaders – Omar Ayub Khan, Raja Basharat, Ahmed Chattha, Majid Daniel, and Malik Azeem – were produced in court by police under heavy security. Police had requested their physical remand.

However, Judge Amjad Ali Shah, expressed displeasure, questioning the arrests given that some of the individuals had already been granted bail by the Peshawar High Court.

The court’s sharp rebuke led to the issuance of contempt notices against five police officers. Judge Shah ordered the immediate release of all five PTI leaders within the courtroom. Furthermore, the court issued directives prohibiting the arrest of any suspects within a 500-meter radius of Adiala Jail during any future hearings related to this case.

Omar Ayub Khan, Raja Basharat, and Ahmed Chattha were arrested in connection with two cases registered in Attock, while Majid Daniel and Malik Azeem were arrested by the Dhamial police station.