Imran, Sheikh Rashid, Asad acquitted in Sec 144 case

ISLAMABAD: Judicial Magistrate Islamabad Yasir Mahmood Wednesday acquitted former prime minister Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid and other prominent PTI party leaders in a case involving Section 144 violations.

The charges, which also included breach of the Amplifier Act and other regulations, were dismissed by the court. Sheikh Rashid, who was the interior minister during the PTI government, appeared in the court, along with the other accused including Asad Qaiser, Saifullah Niazi, Sadaqat Abbasi, Faisal Javed and Ali Nawaz.

The case was filed on Aug 20, 2022 at Islamabad’s Aabpara police station, alleging violations of public order during the PTI-led demonstrations.

The court also reserved its verdict in the long march vandalism case against former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser. Counsel Ayesha Khalid made a request for her client’s exemption from appearance in the court. She also argued in favour of Qaiser’s acquittal, completing her submissions on the matter.

Following conclusion of arguments, the judicial magistrate announced that the decision had been reserved and would be delivered later. After the break, the court also acquitted Asad Qaiser in the case.

The case, filed under vandalism charges at Islamabad’s Aabpara police station, accused Qaiser of incitement and damage to the public property during the long march.

Separately, Accountability Court Judge Nasir Javed Rana held the £190 million reference hearing at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Assistant Advocate Faisal Chaudhry appeared in court, informing the judge that the Islamabad High Court had directed that the acquittal petitions of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi be decided first.

Judge Nasir Javed noted that no such order from the IHC had been received by the trial court yet.

The NAB prosecutor said that the Islamabad High Court had not issued any stay order against the trial court proceedings. “There cannot be a stay order in the hearing of a criminal case,” the prosecutor said.

The NAB prosecutor also requested that the statement of the accused be recorded under Section 342. He said that the matter of acquittal could be considered after the high court’s decision.

The prosecutor emphasised that the Islamabad High Court had not halted the trial court from proceeding with the £190 million case. He mentioned that the accused had already been given three opportunities to record their statements under Section 342.

Previously, the court had provided the defence lawyers with 37 opportunities to cross-examine the final witness, the NAB prosecutor said. The accountability court adjourned hearing in the £190 million reference until November 15.