Islamabad (February 26, 2018): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted an exemption to PTI Chairman Imran Khan from appearing in the next hearing of the case in an attack on Parliament and Pakistan Television Network during 2014 sit-ins.
Judges, Kausar Abbas and Shahrukh Arjumand are hearing four cases – attack on the state television building, Parliament and Junejo – against PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leaders.
A notice for a permanent exemption from appearing before the court in the cases was issued to the prosecution. The hearing was then adjourned until March 13.
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On Monday morning, Imran Khan appeared before the anti-terrorism court after an hour break was taken by the court, summoning PTI chief to appear before the court within an hour.
The ATC is hearing four cases – attack on the state television building, Parliament and Junejo – against PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leaders.
Imran, whose exemption plea had been rejected by the court on February 23, was absent as the hearing began the early morning after assisting defence counsel Shahid Gondal appeared before the court.
Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who is hearing the cases, ordered a one-hour recess. The PTI chief reached the court premises after the recess ended.
On February 23, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) of Islamabad rejected the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan seeking exemption from appearance in PTV and parliament attack case.
ATC judge Shahrukh Arjumand conducted an initial hearing over Khan’s petition.
On February 15, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday filed a plea for his acquittal and exemption from court proceedings in SSP Asmat Ullah Junejo torture case (PTV and parliament attack case).
The PTI chief appeared before the court headed by judge Shahrukh Arjumand hearing case of SSP Asmat Ullah Junejo torture case.
The PTI chief filed the pleas of acquittal and exemption from the court proceedings to which the court ordered to submit its copies to the prosecution.
The counsel of Imran Khan, Babar Awan, did not appear before the court due to his busy schedule and Advocate Shahid Naseem gave arguments in his absence. Naseem asked the court to decided on the exemption and acquittal pleas before indictment in the case.
During the hearing, Khan said to the judge that terror cases were registered against him for carrying out a political struggle. “Is carrying out political struggle a crime?”he asked.
The judge replied that the cases are in the court and they would move on with the court procedures. Later the court issued notices to the other parties and said that the arguments on the pleas for acquittal and exemption would be taken in the next hearing to be held on 26 February and postponed the hearing.
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