Imran's acquittal plea in GHQ attack case rejected

PTI founder, spouse file appeals against 190m pounds reference verdict

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi has rejected the acquittal pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and two PTI leaders in GHQ attack case.

During the hearing of the pleas filed by PTI founder Imran Khan as well as PTI leaders Ajmal Sabir and Sohail Irfan Abbasi in the court of Justice Amjad Ali Shah, Prosecutor Zaheer Shah argued that the trail in the case was underway with recording of the 12 witnesses, adding it is not the right time to hear the acquittal plea. He prayed the court to provide the prosecution an opportunity to get the witnesses statements recorded.

The judge was convinced by the prosecution's arguments, and he dismissed all the three acquittal pleas. Earlier, the court had also dismissed the acquittal plea of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in GHQ attack case while the high court also upheld the trial court verdict.

Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamir Farooq has summoned the Adiala Jail superintendent in a plea filed by PTI founder Imran Khan seeking facilitation for his telephonic contact with his sons, medical check-up from personal physician and provision of facilities in prison.

Imran Khan's lawyer Faisal Fareed Chaudhry and the jail officials appeared before the court. The chief justice remarked that the court had solicited from the jail officials the details on phone calls and meetings. The jail officials replied that Imran Khan made a phone call to his sons on January 13. The CJ remarked that he would not have to submit a request for the phone call every now and then. The jail officials submitted that the WhatsApp calls are not allowed as per rules but Imran's contact with his sons via WhatsApp was made over the court order.

They also told the court that Imran's meetings with his wife Busha Bibi were facilitated twice after his conviction. Besides, the couple also met on January 17, 20 and 23 during the trial.

The IHC chief justice remarked that someone ran into during the hearing was not regarded as a meeting. The court admonished the jail officials and directed the Adiala Jail superintendent to appear before the court with detailed answers on Tuesday (today). The judge also directed the jailer to come after reading the court order of January 23.

In addition, PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi have filed appeals in IHC against their conviction in 190 million pounds reference. The petitioners requested the court to set aside the ATC verdict and order to release them on bail till the conclusion of the appeals.