Staff Reporter
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Thursday extended the pre-arrest interim bail granted to Barrister Hassaan Khan Niazi in a case pertaining to a mob attack on the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC). ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta also approved bail of nine other lawyers in the same case until Jan 6. As the hearing started, the judge inquired about the suspect, Hassaan, who had not arrived by then. Irked by his late appearance, the judge initially cancelled his bail, noting he showed up late despite being a lawyer.
However, after an unconditional apology from him, the judge granted bail to Niazi and other applicants, against surety bond worth Rs100,000 each. PIC came under attack in December last year when a mob of disgruntled lawyers stormed the medical facility, ransacked the hospital wards and operation theatres and tortured the staff and visitors. In the aftermath, at least three patients lost their lives and several others were injured.
Two FIRs were registered against the attackers, nominating over 250 lawyers. However, no concrete action has been taken so far.
