ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday declared Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri ‘proclaimed offenders’ in a case related to the attack on Senior Superintendent Of Police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo.
On Wednesday, ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the PTI chief, Dr Qadri and other senior leaders of both the parties in connection with FIRs registered against them for the storming of Parliament House and the Pakistan Television (PTV) building.
On September 1, about 50 protesters allegedly from the PTI and PAT, attacked SSP Junejo and seriously injured the officer. Initially, police arrested six individuals who were allegedly involved in the attack and also departmental proceedings were initiated against officials deployed with the SSP, who abandoned their senior officer and left him at the mercy of the attackers.
In addition to unidentified attackers, police had also nominated Mr Khan and Dr Qadri as accused in the case.
PTI leaders insist Asmatullah Junejo attack case is ‘politically motivated’
During an earlier hearing in September, the ATC had issued arrest warrants for both leaders.
On Friday, Islamabad Police Special Prosecutor Syed Mohammad Tayyab informed the court that despite several notices and arrest warrants, the accused had not appeared before police or surrendered before the court.
He requested the court to issue a proclamation in both their names, which would enable police to complete investigations in this matter.
Legal experts say that after the court declares an accused a proclaimed offender, the next step is the pasting of proclamations against the accused at different locations, including the courtroom, police stations, prominent public places and the residence of the accused individual.
The police then submit a challan against the proclaimed offender after which the court starts process of attachment of the properties and freezing of bank accounts of the accused person. Ultimately the court declares him as absconder.
PTI leader Dr Arif Alvi told Dawn that the party had decided not to defend itself in such ‘politically motivated’ cases.
“We are sacrifice to everything, but will not accept such highhandedness,” he said. “The government should withdraw these cases against us; we will not apply for bail,” he added.
He alleged that the government was misusing the anti-terrorism laws to suppress opposition parties and this was why the PTI had opposed certain amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) in parliament. The law must only be used terrorists, he concluded.
Published in Dawn, November 15th , 2014
