Arguments sought in terror case against PTI leaders

ATC takes strong exception to Imran bringing 2,500 people for appearance

ISLAMABAD:

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan has sought arguments at the next hearing in the case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Asad Umar, for protesting outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and also summoned the Rajanpur police with relevant records.

During the hearing on Friday, Babar Awan and Sardar Muhammad Masroof Khan, the lawyers for Asad Umar and other PTI leaders, appeared before the court.

The court asked for the accused and lawyers to appear by 10:30am, adjourning the hearing temporarily.

When the hearing started after the break, the court remarked that if arguments were given on the request to delete the provisions of terrorism, “the matter would have been decided today”.

Awan said that the arguments on the request to delete the provisions of terrorism would be given on the next date.

The court highlighted that Umar was absent, wondering whether he had returned from Rajanpur.

The court’s staff said that Umar could not come from Rajanpur.

The court told Awan that if Umar was released by the next date, he would have to appear in person.

The court then summoned the Rajanpur police along with the records on the next hearing.

The court wondered whether this was terrorism, contrasting this with the 99 deaths at the Peshawar Police Lines.

“Now political terrorism has also started to happen,” the judge remarked.

During the hearing, the judge also commented on PTI Chairman Imran Khan's previous appearance.

He said that the former prime minister had come to the court with 2,500 people with him.

He highlighted the irony between the party’s name and the slogans it raised. He also highlighted how the PTI cited examples of the United Kingdom but “did not respect the court itself”.

“They bring thugs and miscreants with them to the courtroom. They came for one year's hearing and left with two years' hearing,” he remarked. “Now, they will keep me busy with court hearings for one more year. I also have all the CCTV footage of this case.”

The court then adjourned the hearing till March 17.

Imran appeared before the ATC on Feb 28 to apply for bail in a case pertaining to vandalism in the judicial complex.