ATC acquits Sanaullah in threats case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday acquitted Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a case of allegedly threatening the Punjab chief secretary, his family and other officers.

The court issued the verdict after the complainant changed his stance.

The case against the interior minister was filed at the Industrial Police Station in Gujranwala on August 25 last year after a PML-Q leader maintained that threats had been hurled by Sanaullah at the government officials during a TV talk show.

It was registered under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (punishment for acts of terrorism), and Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 189 (threat of injury to public servant) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

"The purpose of Sanaullah's statements was to terrorise the judiciary, chief secretary, commissioner and people of the country," the FIR noted. "His aim was to stop the officials from working and prevent them from fulfilling their lawful responsibilities."