PTI’s Raouf Hassan Arrested in Terrorism Case, Given Two-Day Physical Remand

Islamabad: Raouf Hassan, the Secretary Information of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been arrested in connection with a terrorism case. The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has granted him a two-day physical remand, handing him over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
According to Express News, Hassan was taken into custody on charges related to terrorism, with accusations based on the statement of Ahmad Janjua. Subsequently, the CTD presented him before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad, where Judge Tahir Abbas Supra conducted the hearing. Hassan was represented by lawyer Ali Bukhari.
During the court proceedings, Judge Supra inquired if Hassan had undergone a medical examination the previous day. Hassan confirmed that he had but noted that despite his medical issues, he was moved to jail.
Bukhari raised concerns about the clarity of Hassan’s arrest timeline, stating that he had already been sent on judicial remand in an FIA case the day before, and the specifics of his arrest by the CTD were unclear. The prosecutor clarified that Hassan was included in the investigation the previous day, but his formal arrest occurred today.
Judge Supra noted that a supplementary report dated July 30 indicated that Hassan was included in the investigation from within the court premises. Bukhari argued that this meant the arrest had effectively occurred the previous day and highlighted that Hassan was not named in the terrorism FIR. He also contested the need for physical remand, suggesting it was unnecessary for recovering the alleged 300,000 rupees given to Ahmad Waqas Janjua to incite terror.
Bukhari further mentioned that Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court had previously ordered the return of mobile phones to 32 individuals, and Hassan’s devices were with the FIA, which had led to his judicial remand.
The court inquired about the reasons for seeking physical remand. The prosecutor explained that it was necessary to investigate and identify individuals who allegedly provided explosive materials and to apprehend them based on these findings.
Ultimately, the court granted a two-day physical remand for Raouf Hassan, handing him over to the CTD.