President Arif Alvi and Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Monday filed acquittal petitions in cases related to attacks on the Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament House during the 2014 sit-in.
As an anti-terrorism court began hearing the cases, twelve accused in the case, including Finance Minister Asad Umar and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, filed exemption plea from appearing before the court.
Babar Awan, counsel for Prime Minister Imran Khan, also appeared before the court to present his arguments on an acquittal petition filed earlier on behalf of his client in the two cases. However, the prosecutor was absent.
Issuing notices to the prosecution for further discussion on President Alvi, PM Imran, and Mahmood’s acquittal pleas, the court adjourned hearing of the two cases till October 22. Last month, the ATC had granted Prime Minister Imran Khan permanent exemption from appearing before it in the two cases.
The anti-terrorism court is hearing two cases – attack on the state television building and the Parliament House – against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaders. In August 2014, Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri took to streets in Islamabad against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town sit-in. During the sit-in, the protesters beat up SSP Asmatullah Junejo on Constitution Avenue when they attacked the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and the parts of the Parliament. The PTI chief had pleaded the court to transfer the cases to a civil court, however, the request was rejected on December 11, 2017.
Published in Daily Times, October 2nd, 2018.
