TLP worker acquitted in 2021 rioting case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday acquitted a Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) worker, Muhammad Nazak, in a 2021 case related to rioting, vandalism, and arson, after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the charges.

ATC Judge Arshad Javed presided over the case and announced the verdict after hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and defence. The defence counsel maintained that there was no solid evidence linking Nazak to the incident in question and requested the court to acquit him.

The prosecution, however, opposed the plea, arguing that enough material was available to proceed.

After reviewing the case record and arguments, the court ruled in favour of the defence and acquitted the accused.

Muhammad Nazak had been declared a proclaimed offender in the case and remained on the run for three years.

He was currently on interim bail and appeared in court for the hearing.

The FIR was registered at Sherakot Police Station in 2021 against several TLP workers in connection with violent protests led by the party. The charges included rioting, vandalism, and arson under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Several other co-accused in the case were previously acquitted in earlier court proceedings.