Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has been acquitted of charges in two cases related to the May 25 long march and vandalism during an event in Islamabad.
Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi gave a reserved verdict on the plea of acquittal. The cases registered against the former prime minister at Sihala and Lohi Bher police stations were based on allegations of involvement in a long march of vandalism.
However, an application for acquittal and production in court by Imran Khan resulted in a favorable outcome and Justice Kundi acquitted him.
During the court proceedings, arguments were presented by lawyer Naeem Panjotha, who requested that Imran Khan be brought before the court. The judge asked who would be responsible if anything happened to him when he was brought to court.
Panjotha said that ensuring security was the government’s job, adding that he wanted to present his arguments in the presence of the PTI founder.
The judge said attendance was necessary for a bail application, not an acquittal. She then turned down Imran Khan’s request to produce.
Panjotha further claimed that his client was charged in all cases in relation to the fact that everything happened in his name. Many cases were filed on the same day, he added. He further claimed that the implementation of Section 144 was not announced nor was anyone informed about it. “The plaintiff is the SHO who has no authority to register the case,” argued the defense counsel.
He further stated that there were no witness statements in any of the cases registered against Imran Khan and added that his client was acquitted in several other cases as well.
