Sit-in violence case: ATC warns of issuing warrant against Imran
The warning was issued as PTI chief did not appear in court despite judge summoning him
April 25, 2018
ISLAMABAD: The anti-terrorism court warned on Wednesday of issuing warrant against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan if he does not appear in the next hearing on case against torture of SSP Asmatullah Junejo during the 2014 sit-in.
The PTI chief did not appear in the court despite ATC judge Shahrukh Arjumand summoning him earlier in the day.
The judge then adjourned the announcement of verdict on Imran’s acquittal plea to May 4.
Earlier, during the proceedings, a request was submitted for Imran’s exemption from the hearing. However, Arjumand, who is hearing the SSP torture case, said Imran should be in the court as verdict would be announced in presence of the accused.
ATC had reserved its verdict on acquittal plea after hearing arguments over the SSP torture case on April 10.
Imran, Asad Umar and other PTI leaders were expected to appear in court on Wednesday for the hearing over Parliament and PTV attack cases as well, which had to be held by ATC judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi.
The PTI chief and other party leaders are accused of attacking the Parliament and PTV office during the 2014 sit-in in Islamabad, as well as torturing the then SSP and violating the loud speakers act.
The PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaders were booked after they marched towards the Parliament and PM House during the 2014 sit-in, in an attempt to topple the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government after the Model Town incident. They also clashed with policemen along their way.
The other cases were lodged after PTI and PAT workers ransacked the PTV office, Parliament premises and tortured Junejo.
