The year Imran Khan launched rallies and legal battle against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League
islamabad — An anti-terrorism court has acquitted the opposition lawmaker Imran Khan in a case over the wounding of a police chief during clashes in 2014 between Khan’s supporters and police at a rally in Islamabad.
Khan was in the court for Friday’s decision and welcomed the ruling.
In 2014, Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek Chairman Tahirul Qadri staged a sit-in in Islamabad against alleged rigging in the 2013 election and the Model Town tragedy, which had seen as many as 14 people killed and 100 others injured when police attacked Qadri’s residence during an ‘anti-encroachment’ operation.
During the Islamabad protest, then Senior Superintendent Police Islamabad Asmatullah Junejo was severely beaten up by a group of violent protesters on Constitution Avenue as they stormed the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and the precincts of the Parliament on September 1, 2014. Subsequently, a case was registered against Khan, Qadri, and others for the torture of Junejo and five other police officers. Arrest warrants had also been issued against the two leaders.
On Friday, the court in its brief ruling on an acquittal plea filed by Khan in the case ordered his acquittal. ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjumand said: “You are discharged from the case.”
“Thanks a lot,” Khan responded.
On Sunday, the former cricket star who became Pakistan’s opposition leader — and now seeks to become the country’s next prime minister — launched his party’s campaign for the July elections.
He presented an 11-point agenda, pledging to bring about “peaceful political change” and defeat “corrupt” politicians.
Khan has been leading rallies and fighting legal battles against the ruling Pakistan Muslim League since 2013. Acting on his petition, Pakistan’s Supreme Court last year disqualified then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from office for having a UAE Iqama (visa). — Agencies