Imran Khan challenges ATC's jurisdiction in PTV, Parliament attack case

Advocate Panjutha says protest held within constitutional framework, does not constitute terrorism provisions

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday challenged the jurisdiction of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the PTV, Parliament attack case.

The legal team, on behalf of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, filed an application under Section 23A of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the ATC, in which the jurisdiction of the court has been challenged.

Advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha argued before ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hasan that the case is not of terrorism court, therefore, it should be transferred to the concerned court.

Panjutha said that a peaceful protest was held, on which provisions of terrorism were imposed. He furthered that the protest was held within the constitutional framework, adding that the case does not constitute terrorism provisions.

After hearing the arguments of the PTI chief’s lawyer, the court issued a notice seeking arguments on the application from the prosecution and adjourned the hearing of the case till February 9.

Read: Alvi refuses to avail immunity in parliament attack case

On August 31, 2014, in an attempt to topple the then PML-N government, the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers marched toward the Prime Minister's House and the police were ordered to thwart their march. Subsequent clashes between the protesters and law enforcers resulted in the deaths of three PAT workers. Hundreds of others, including both demonstrators and policemen, were wounded.

Imran, PAT leader Tahirul Qadri, and others along with hundreds of protesters had briefly seized and shut down the state broadcaster on September 1, 2014.

The protesters had stormed the PTV headquarters on Constitution Avenue and transmission of the PTV News and PTV World was cut off for almost 30 minutes. Later, army troops cleared the buildings, and transmission was restored.