Imran, Qureshi, others acquitted in Azadi March case

In another major relief to the former ruling party, a local court in Islamabad on Thursday acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with senior leaders Sheikh Rashid and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in the case related to the Azadi March.

The verdict, delivered by Judicial Magistrate Malik Muhammad Imran, also cleared Sadaqat Abbasi and Ali Nawaz Awan of all charges.

The case, originally registered in 2022 at Islamabad's I-9 police station, accused the PTI leaders of violating Section 144 and involvement in acts of vandalism.

In a related decision, the court has acquitted PTI leader Shehryar Khan Afridi and other party workers who were charged with arson and vandalism during the events of May 9. The court's ruling marks a significant turn in the legal proceedings against PTI members.

Read Imran, Qureshi, others acquitted in Azadi March vandalism cases

Previously, on May 27, 2022, the Islamabad police filed separate cases against 150 people including Imran Khan as well as other party leaders over allegations of arson and vandalism in the federal capital a day earlier.

The footage of the Safe City cameras and those from private TV news channels was included in the challans of the cases as evidence. At least 39 people were taken into custody after identification from the footage.

Imran launched a march toward Islamabad to topple the coalition government that assumed power after he was ousted as the premier following a vote of no confidence. The rally was part of the PTI’s struggle to achieve “real freedom” and deliver the nation from the “slavery” of the “US-backed” coalition government.

Judicial Magistrate Ehtesham Alam heard the case filed against the PTI leadership booked on charges of vandalism and violation of Section 144.

PTI leaders Ali Muhammad Khan and Asad Umar appeared before the court while all others had filed acquittal pleas. In a sigh of relief to party leaders facing multiple cases, the court acquitted the PTI leaders.