ATC acquits PM Imran in Parliament House attack case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) acquitted on Thursday Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Parliament House attack case.

During the hearing today, the ATC accepted the PM's acquittal plea. The judgment was delivered by Judge Raja Jawad Abbas, Aaj News reported. However, other PTI leaders have been summoned on November 12 to be indicted in the case.

Earlier, the PM in his application urged the ATC to acquit him in the case as the prosecution was not interested to prosecute him.

“The applicant is maliciously implicated and dragged in this false case. Further proceedings shall cause harassment and political victimisation. Particularly, after the prosecution stands in favour of the acquittal of the applicant,” the plea said.

The PM has also sought acquittal in the PTV attack case. In the acquittal plea in the PTV attack case, PM's lawyer argued that the case registered against the PM is baseless and false and there is no evidence against him.

The ATC has already granted permanent exemption to PM from appearance. In 2019, the ATC had reserved its verdict regarding the acquittal plea of the premier.

A case under the Anti-Terrorism Act was filed against President Arif Alvi, Asad Umar, Shafqat Mehmood, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and other PTI leaders for inciting violence during the 2014 dharna.

Three people were killed and 26 injured, while 60 were arrested in 2014 during the dharna. The ATC has already acquitted the PM in the former senior superintendent police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo torture case.

During the sit-in, Junejo was severely beaten up by a group of violent protesters as they stormed the PTV headquarters and the precincts of the Parliament.