50 PTI workers acquitted in May 9 case

PESHAWAR: Additional District and Sessions Judge Tila Muhammad acquitted 50 workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused of vandalism in a case pertaining to the May 9, 2023 protest, citing lack of evidence.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that the accused were involved in acts of arson and vandalism in the jurisdiction of Faqirabad Police Station.

It was claimed that the suspects had set a cinema on fire and threatened its employees with dire consequences.

Following the incident, police had registered cases against nearly 50 PTI workers.

However, the defense counsel, Advocate Ali Zaman, argued that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated. He stated that the prosecution failed to provide concrete evidence linking the accused to commission of the alleged crimes.

He said that the case lacked merit and was filed on political grounds, requesting the judge to acquit the accused for want of evidence.

After hearing the arguments and reviewing the evidence, the court ruled in favour of the defense, acquitting all 50 accused.