PESHAWAR, Aug 11: A local anti-terrorism court on Saturday acquitted Tehrik Nifaz Shariah-i-Mohammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad of conspiracy against the state and attack on a police station.

Judge Shoaib Khan heard the case, which was registered by police more than 17 years ago, inside the Peshawar Central Prison for security reasons.

Trial of Sufi Mohammad in several cases of terrorism is underway inside the prison.

An official source said the judge observed that as the government had earlier withdrawn from prosecution in the instant case and the accused were discharged in it and therefore, they could not be again tried for the same offence.

In the said case, Maulana Sufi and scores of his supporters were charged with attacking Swat’s Kabal police station and injuring several policemen in 1994.

At that time, law-enforcement agencies launched an action against TNSM activists over occupation of government installations and demand for enforcement of Islamic laws in Malakand region.

Adil Majeed, the defence lawyer, told the court on the previous hearing, that he objected to trial of Sufi Mohammad in cases, which had already been closed down by the government.

The lawyer asked how the case could be re-opened when once the government had itself closed it down.