Prosecution challenges acquittal of PTI workers

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Prosecution Department has filed an appeal in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against the acquittal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in the Peshawar Central Jail attack case.

Earlier, a trial court had acquitted PTI leaders and workers Irfan Saleem, Ismatullah, Muhammad Jalal, Sajjad Bangash, Sadiq Khan, and Allama Iqbal, who were nominated in the case.

According to the prosecution, the accused had allegedly carried out an attack on Peshawar Central Jail on February 24. However, they were acquitted by the trial court on September 9. The prosecution contends that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) ignored substantial evidence presented during the trial.

The appeal maintains that the accused were clearly visible in CCTV footage, and their identification in the video led to their inclusion in the case. It argues that the acquittal was unlawful and contrary to the record of evidence.

The prosecution has requested the High Court to overturn the September 9 verdict and award punishment to the accused in accordance with the law.

Separately, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Peshawar on Saturday recorded the statements of three witnesses in a high-profile gold smuggling case linked to terrorist financing, while summoning additional witnesses for the next hearing.

The case was heard by ATC Judge Muhammad Iqbal Khan. According to the prosecution, police had intercepted a large consignment of gold in Khyber district, which was being smuggled across the Torkham border into Afghanistan. Authorities stated that the gold was intended to fund terrorist organizations operating in the region.

During the operation, one suspect was taken into custody. His interrogation later led to the inclusion of 19 more suspects in the investigation, including jewelers from Peshawar who allegedly purchased part of the smuggled gold.