ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court granted on Tuesday a permanent exemption to Prime Minister Imran Khan from appearing before the court in cases pertaining to the attacks on Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament House in 2014.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jehangir Tareen and other party leaders’ had earlier requested for exemption. ATC has accepted their request too.
ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi had summoned all the accused in the cases today.
PM Imran’s counsel, Babar Awan, appeared on his behalf before the court and submitted a request for the PM’s permanent exemption from hearings.
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“If there are more accused in a case than the suspects, then they can be exempted from appearing before the court,” Awan argued.
In response to this, the prosecutor said, “We have no reservations in granting PM Imran exemption from appearing.”
Awan then submitted an affidavit on the Imran Khan’s behalf and said, “I will appear in place of him.”
On Friday, PM Imran directed PTI’s legal team to file acquittal appeal in the cases registered against party leaders under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) during the 2014 sit-in.
The PM and other party leaders, including President-elect Dr. Arif Alvi, and Foreign Minister Qureshi, are accused of attacking the Parliament and PTV office during the 2014 sit-in in Islamabad.
Khan and other PTI leaders are accused of leading attacks on the Parliament, PTV, and SSP Junejo during 2014 protests against the government. The leaders are accused of violating loudspeakers act and for clashes with the police personnel.
They also had reportedly clashed with the policemen along their way.
