PTI chief acquitted in ECP protest case

An Islamabad-based district and sessions court on Wednesday acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi and several other leaders in a case registered at the Aabpara police station.

Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mehmood announced the verdict which was reserved last week.

Through its verdict, the court acquitted the PTI founder, vice chairman Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid, Sheharyar Afridi, Faisal Javed Khan, Raja Khurram Nawaz, Ali Nawaz Awan, Asad Qaiser and others.

Advocate Sardar Masroof and Ansar Kayani argued the case on behalf of the PTI leaders.

A case was registered against the PTI founder and other politicians for protesting against the ECP’s Toshakhana verdict in 2022, which disqualified him from holding office for a limited time.

Imran Khan has been facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as the premier in 2022.

The PTI founder has been in jail since last August and was convicted in some cases ahead of a nationwide election earlier this year. He is also fighting dozens of other cases.

On July 1, at least 140 workers of PTI were acquitted in a case related to holding a rally before the general elections.