An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has reportedly rejected a police request for physical remand and sent former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and PTI leader Khalid Khurshid Khan to jail on judicial remand in a case linked to the November 26 protest.
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has sent former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Khalid Khurshid Khan to jail on judicial remand after rejecting a police request for his physical remand, according to a report published by Express News on October 17, 2026.
Khurshid was presented before the court in connection with a case registered over the November 26 protest. Police had requested physical custody for further investigation, but the court declined the request and ordered his transfer to jail on judicial remand, according to the report.
Police Request for Physical Remand Rejected
During the proceedings, police sought permission to keep Khurshid in physical custody for investigation into the case.
The court rejected the request and directed that he be sent to jail on judicial remand. Under judicial remand, an accused person is held in prison under court authority rather than remaining in police custody for interrogation.
The decision concerns the remand arrangements in this particular case. It does not, by itself, determine guilt or innocence on the underlying allegations.
Arrest in Peshawar
Khurshid was among several PTI leaders detained in Peshawar on the night of October 11, according to reports published earlier this week.
He was arrested at the residence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, alongside the speaker and other individuals, according to reporting by Dawn and statements attributed to police sources.
Police said Khurshid was wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases. His subsequent appearance before an Islamabad court marked a further development in the legal proceedings against him.
Previous Conviction in Gilgit-Baltistan
Khurshid, who previously served as chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and heads PTI’s regional chapter, was sentenced by an anti-terrorism court in December 2024 to 34 years in prison and fined Rs600,000 in a separate case involving threats against security institutions, according to Geo News.
That earlier conviction is distinct from the November 26 protest case in which the Islamabad court has now ordered judicial remand.
What Happens Next?
Khurshid will remain in judicial custody under the court’s order while the relevant proceedings continue. Further developments will depend on subsequent hearings, the investigation and any additional judicial directions.
The latest order addresses police custody in the present case; the full status of Khurshid’s other cases and any separate sentence or detention orders must be considered independently.
