ATC seeks challan against accused in TLP protest case

Challan to be submitted by Jan 31

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in the federal capital ordered the submission of a challan against protesters who participated in countrywide protests and sit-ins organised by the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) against the acquittal of Aasia Masih by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

During the hearing of the case on Monday presided by ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, seven of the accused who were freed on bail, appeared in their personal capacity while two others were brought from the prison in the court.

The ATC, meanwhile, ordered the summoning of 11 accused who remained absent today. The ATC ordered to submit a complete challan against all the accused named in the case during the next hearing on January 31.



 

The court also sought a report in this matter from the Station House Officer (SHO) of Industrial Area police station.

On October 30, 2018, nationwide protests erupted against the acquittal of blasphemy accused Aasia Masih on the call of the TLP.

Several parts of the country witnessed severe disruption as enraged protesters blocked roads and forced markets to shut down. Protesters resorted to arson and vandalism in many parts of the country and damaged private and public property in various incidents.

All private and public educational institutions remained closed across major cities. Attendance at offices and other commercial enterprises also remained thin.



On November 2, 2018, the religious party called off its protest sit-ins after reaching an agreement with the federal and Punjab governments.

A day after the deal, however, the government swung into action and launched a crackdown against the protesters who vandalised public properties and also booked the top TLP leadership.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the federal government to work in collaboration with the provincial governments to bring the culprits behind bars.