Published in October 29, 2020 10:34 am
ATC acquits PM Imran in the case of assault on Parliament
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday released Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in the Parliament assault case.
In announcing the legally protected ruling on the request for the prime minister’s release, ATC judge Raja Jawad Abbas has directed to note more arguments in the Pakistan Television Company (PTV) case on November 12.
The court has also decided to charge Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pervez Khattak, Asad Umar, Jahangir Tareen, Shafqat Mahmood and others.
PM Khan gets a permanent exemption from appearances
Previously, the ATC has granted Prime Minister Imran Khan a permanent exemption from appearing in a case related to the attack on the Parliament Building.
Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi heard the petition for release submitted by the prime minister. Babar Awan’s lawyers stated that the defendant could receive permanent release if there was more than one suspect in the case.
It is stated here that PM Khan, President Dr Arif Alvi, Asad Umar, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shafqat Mehmood and Raja Khurram Nawaz faced trial for allegedly attacking the PTV building and the Parliament Building during the 2014 sit-in.
The clash resulted in the death of three sit-in participants. Hundreds, including demonstrators and police officers, were also injured.
After that, the police have enacted the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATA) against those responsible.
The President is working on constitutional immunity in this case. According to Article 248 (2) of the Constitution, “No criminal proceedings shall be instituted or proceed against the President or Governor in any court during his term of office.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Finance Minister Asad Umar also applied for acquittal in court citing official involvement. Similar petitions were filed by other PTI leaders including Jahangir Tareen, Aijaz Chaudhry, Shafqat Mehmood and Saifullah.