ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday summoned witnesses against Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and others in connection with an attack on the then SSP Islamabad during the 2014 sit-in staged by the two parties. The ATC summoned the witnesses for July 6.

When the case was taken up by ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi, the PTI and PAT leaders were not present in the court. However, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) leader Daniyal Aziz was in the court. Talking to the media later, the PML-N leader hinted that an application seeking the arrest of the suspects through Rangers would soon be filed.

Mr Khan, Dr Qadri and several others were booked for their alleged involvement in the attack on SSP Asmatullah Junejo during the 2014 sit-in.

The ATC has already issued perpetual warrants against the suspects after the police submitted a report stating that they could not be arrested even though they were declared proclaimed offenders in the case.

Previously, the ATC allowed an application filed by the capital police seeking the initiation of a process to declare both the accused proclaimed offenders after the SHO of the Secretariat police station informed the court that the suspects could not be located.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2017