The Shalimar police had registered the case in July 2012 with the ATC-I, after which the court was hearing the case.
The judge ruled that the charges against Aqeel could not be proven, because had he escaped from Shalimar police’s custody, then he would not have voluntarily given his arrest.
Aqeel was earlier granted post-arrest bail by an anti-terrorism court, as were 30 other men accused of helping him escape from the custody of Shalimar police in the capital.
Shaukat Aziz Siddiqi, counsel for the MNA, had said that some people had forcibly taken Aqeel away from police custody on July 15 but he himself did not try to escape.
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I pray that I live to see a Judiaciary in Pakistan which is not biased and politicised.
Why don't we understand that Mr. Nawaz Sharif is Chief Justice Of Punjab and Mr. Shahbaz Sharif is AG.
Unbelievable logic. "he couldnt have escaped because he surrendered afterwards" Sir peet loon apna!
@Noor: you are dead wrong, law is only for PPP and...not for... what a silly argument since he later volunteered so....... law means how to interpret.....i
There are always irrefutable proofs against HH, PM's family, and other PPP leaders. However, there are no proof of corruption, attach on SC, escape from custody, etc., for the others. What is going on with tens of billions of corruption allegations on which Aqeel was arrested in the first place? No proofs would be found for that as well. There is not going to be any suo motu action against PML-N corruption either.
Though I am a critic of PPP government and a strong supporter of higher judiciary but this verdict really really disappointed me. The entire nation watched on their TV screen, a mob took the police station hostage and freed this corrupt politician, Anjum Aqeel. It means PPP is right that courts are biased and giving favours to Sharif brothers and their party - PML-N. It is a matter of concern for me and i hope print and electronic media will focus the issue by remembering the history and proofs of this case. Now it is up to the CJ and and SC to notice this verdict given by ATC and investigate the matter, that how this person is being acquitted despite all proves. I hope media will raise it up and SC will take serious note of it.
@MAD: judge think we are blind . . . ;-)
@Ussama Yaqub: Being poor, qualify you for all the crimes:) so easy
we will give him vote and will be MNA/MPA again!! I bet on that
Justice for PML(N)..................
What kind of a judge was that. there is a video of him escaping. Are you blind.
This man was shown fleeing the police in full view of the media teams, still he is acquitted, one can see the state of justice in this country.
The judge was looking for any trivial reason to acquit him and he did! pathetic judicial system...I hate it
This is most shameful verdict. Maybe I'll round up a gang of hooligans, arm them to the teeth, storm a police station and get a few criminals released also!
This is beyond disappointment and I have no idea what the judge was smoking. THIS is why a lot of people in this country criticize the stupid judicial system in this country! THIS is why we're the laughing stock among other countries.
Not only does Mr. Aqeel go scot free, but 30 others who stormed him out are also on bail!
This is great !
I too want to loot a BANK , invest money in market, keep the profit and return the ACTUAL amount, can i please judge saab ?
MNAs and MPAs from government, either central or provincial like Punjab, are enjoying not only perks and salaries and funds but system as well. In fact laws are do not exist for them as they are above the laws.
Free and biased judiciary and media!
Defeat of rule of law.
biased judiciary . . . ????
@Ussama Yaqub: Quit PML and join PPP.
No PMLN member can be convicted during this period, they all are exempted.
This MNA is lucky not being from ruling coalition. Or he would have pleading his innocence for eternity, before being booked for another wrong, ad infinitum.
I wonder what one has to do in order to be proven GUILTY in Pakistan!!
hahah good one " he has voluntarily given his arrest." OR simply he is from PML(N)
"The judge ruled that the charges against Aqeel could not be proven, because had he escaped from Shalimar police’s custody, then he would not have voluntarily given his arrest."
ATC never fails to disappoints! Miraculously all accused in these courts are acquitted. His powerful goons broke him out of the Shalimar police station and our courts rule out an any foul play on his part. He was MIA for a while until the Sharifs convinced him to surrender. And even in that case they guaranteed him post-arrest bail through the same court. Our flawed justice system is a prime example of why these politicians are always out there to make a name for themselves and a bad name for our country. Only in Pakistan can a "politician" just break out of the police station and not get into any legal scuffle? Next we'll hear all the judge hearing the land cases against him say that they were "politically motivated" and he bought his protocol, properties, land cruisers from hard work? The day our courts rubber stamped the army's rule through the Doctrine of Necessity became the day our justice system sold itself to protect the people that consider Pakistan their personal property and treat us as tenants borrowing their land and resources, and that was very early in our history.
Why not. WAKA WAKA . Its time for PML N.
What about the fact that we all saw his escape on TV?
What a justice .there is no law for rich corrupt people
funny! Now i know ATC = Shareef Courts