ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad on Thursday acquitted 27 activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in a case related to violence on Feb 28 during the appearance of Imran Khan in the Federal Judicial Complex and Islamabad High Court (IHC).

ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan during the hearing of the case perused the identification report presented to him by the police.

The counsel for the accused persons concluded their arguments and pointed out that the 27 suspects were not identified in the police report.

Out of the 27 suspects, 11 were apprehended for violence in the Judicial Complex and 16 from outside the IHC. The counsel sought their acquittal.

The court subsequently absolved them observing that they were not identified in the identification report.

Meanwhile, the same court extended the pre-arrest interim bail of PTI leaders Mohammad Basharat Raja, Tahir Sadiq, Jamshed Mehbood and others in the same case. Further hearing was adjourned till March 29.

Over 150 PTI workers arrested

Police raided the houses of several Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in various parts of Attock and arrested three leaders and over 150 workers of the party. The arrested were made under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance.

Those who were arrested included former Punjab assembly member Sardar Mohammad Ali Khan, Sardar Iftikhar Ahmed Khan along with social media activist Syed Tabeer Shah Naqvi. They were sent to the district jail Attock.

They were detained in pursuance of the order issued by Rao Atif Raza, Deputy Commissioner Attock, under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance 2017.

Reports said that arrested workers were found instigating the general public against the government and planning to gather people for a protest in Attock which may create law and order situation. They were also accused of inciting the general public for violence and creating panic among the masses.

The deputy commissioner warned that violating the law, committing vandalism, attacking police and blocking roads while protesting was not permissible.

“There won’t be any compromise on the rule of law or the protection of citizens’ lives and property,” he maintained.

The district administration also issued arrest notice for PTI district Attock president Qazi Ahmed Akbar and raided a house in Jatial in Hazro but he escaped arrest. It has also learnt that the police conducted raids to arrest five leaders of PTI Hassanabdal and rounded up only one of them, Arif Khan.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2023