PM directs legal team to file acquittal pleas in terror cases

• ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi summons all accused in PTV, Parliament House attack cases on 11th 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed his legal team to file acquittal pleas in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in cases filed against party leaders for attacks on Pakistan Television (PTV) and Parliament House buildings in 2014.

Earlier, the senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership had decided to file acquittal pleas in cases registered against party leaders under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) when a sit-in was convened in 2014.

Acquittal pleas certify that an accused is cleared of a criminal offence. According to PTI’s legal team, the pleas for the acquittal of party leaders booked in the cases will be filed on September 11.

The party believes that the cases are politically motivated which is why the party has decided to move the court for acquittal of all nominated leaders.

ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi has already summoned all accused in the cases on September 11.

On Sept 1 2014, a mob of protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) stormed PTV headquarters and forced its staff to take two of the state broadcaster’s flagship channels — PTV News and PTV World — off the air. At least 103 people are accused in the case.

A day before the attack on PTV, on Aug 31, 2014, PTI and PAT workers had clashed with police while marching towards Parliament and Prime Minister’s House. The clashes resulted in the deaths of three protesters. Hundreds, including the demonstrators and police officials, were wounded.

In August 2014, Imran Khan and PAT founder Tahirul Qadri took to the streets in Islamabad against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town sit-in. The protest continued for 104 days.