Court reserves verdict on Sheikh Rashid’s acquittal plea in charges against Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Civil Judge Yasar Mahmood has reserved his verdict on Sheikh Rashid’s acquittal plea in the case involving allegations against PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari for allegedly plotting to assassinate former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid appeared alongside his legal team. His lawyers argued for acquittal, citing procedural flaws in the filing of the FIR. The defence claimed that the case was improperly filed, referencing the Shahbaz Gill case as precedent, and argued that Sheikh Rashid’s comments involved a private individual, not a public official.

The case was filed following a complaint by local Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Inayat, who alleged that Sheikh Rashid’s remarks were defamatory and incited unrest. After concluding legal arguments, the court reserved its judgment, leaving Sheikh Rashid awaiting the outcome. Sheikh Rashid had initially made his allegations on February 2, claiming that Asif Zardari was conspiring to have Imran Khan killed. Rashid’s statement led to his subsequent arrest and the PPP complaint that sparked the legal proceedings.

In a related development, the Sindh government had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Islamabad High Court’s decision to dismiss a case against Sheikh Rashid.