Appointment of state counsel: Trial verdict declared ‘null and void’

ISLAMABAD: The District and Sessions Court on Tuesday declared the trial verdict “null and void” regarding the appointment of state counsel in a case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in connection with the party's November 26 protest.

Additional Sessions judge Aamir Zai, while announcing the reserved judgment, approved the petition against the appointment of state counsel in a case registered at Ramna police station.

PTI counsel Ali Bukhari appeared before the court. The cases had been registered under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act and are currently under trial.

It is pertinent to mention here that the judicial magistrate, Ahmed Shehzad Gondal, had ordered the appointment of state counsel on May 31 after PTI counsel failed to appear before the court.

PTI on June 3 challenged the trial court's verdict regarding the appointment of the state counsel.

Meanwhile, another court has reserved its verdict on the acquittal pleas of PTI senior leader and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in a case registered against him in connection with his party’s November 26 protest.

Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah, while hearing the case against Qaiser registered at Kohsar Police Station, reserved its verdict on his acquittal plea following completion of arguments by both parties. Court has fixed July 10 for the announcement of the judgment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025