Imran Khan seeks acquittal in 2014 sit-in cases

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in the federal capital on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a plea of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan seeking acquittal in cases related to the attack on the state buildings and then SSP Islamabad (Operations) Asmatullah Junejo during the 2014 sit-in in the federal capital. 

The ATC judge reserved the judgment after hearing arguments from the defense lawyer and the prosecutor.

The PTI chief along with his counsel Babar Awan appeared before the court as it resumed the hearing of the case.

During the last hearing, Khan appeared before the court and filed an application through his lawyer, seeking acquittal in the cases.

Judge Shahrukh Arjumand then asked the defence lawyer to provide a copy of the application to the prosecution.

The lawyer pleaded with the judge to announce a decision on his client’s acquittal plea before the framing of charges against his client.

Police had booked Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri along with their supporters in a number of cases during the 2014 sit-in calling for the resignation of the then prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

In a case, 70 people were booked after a mob of protesters belonging to the PTI and 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 on Sept 1, 2014.

The protesters were also charged with attacking government properties including the Parliament House building.

Another case related to the attack on then-Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Asmatullah Junejo during the sit-in.