PTI leaders acquitted in May 9 case

SWABI:

In a significant development related to the May 9, 2023 protests, an Additional Sessions Judge in Chauta Lahore (Swabi circuit) has acquitted former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, several provincial ministers, and more than 250 leaders and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Swabi district.

The cases stemmed from alleged vandalism and other offenses at the Swabi Interchange during PTI's nationwide demonstrations on May 9. Police at Lahore police station registered an FIR against over 252 named individuals under various sections, initially including anti-terrorism charges. Of those implicated, 62 workers were arrested and spent about a month in custody, while 117 had already been released earlier.

The charges were later amended, with the anti-terrorism provisions removed. The police submitted the challan (charge sheet) to the Additional Sessions Judge, and court proceedings were underway with dates fixed for appearances.

According to sources, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, led by PTI, directed the public prosecutor to withdraw the prosecution's case against the accused. Following the formal request for withdrawal, the court accepted it and acquitted all the named individuals.