News Analysis |
Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak is granted bail from Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in cases related to violence which erupted at the climax of Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf’s sit-in in Islamabad in 2014.
Khattak’s counsel during his arguments claimed that his client was sleeping when violent protesters attacked the Pakistan Television’s and parliament building on the Constitutional Avenue.
PTI leaders deny vandalizing the government buildings and express utter ignorance with happenings in the capital then again, Chaudhry Shafqaat reminded the court that protest was illegal, since, the government did not allow protesters to stage a sit-in on the Constitution Avenue.
After hearing arguments of special public prosecutor Chaudhry Shafqaat and Khattak’s counsel Syed Ali Bukhari, ATC judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi announced the decision to grant bail to KP CM.
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Bukhari told the court that KP leaders were falsely named in these politically motivated cases, but public prosecutor refuted his claims and argued that Khattak along with leaders from KP and other participants of the mob which attacked PTV and other government buildings were actively involved in the violent attacks.
PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai and CM were granted bail against sureties of Rs100, 000 each on April 19.CM KP and Shaukat Yousafzai were summoned to reappear in court on April 23 and April 25, respectively.
Though PTI leaders deny vandalizing the government buildings and express utter ignorance with happenings in the capital then again, Chaudhry Shafqaat reminded the court that protest was illegal, since, the government did not allow protesters to stage a sit-in on the Constitution Avenue.
PTI Chief Imran Khan and other senior leaders are all facing ATC cases.On April, 10, Khan appeared in the ATC, where he faces four cases which include PTV and parliament attack case and the SSP Asmatullah Junejo torture case.
Bukhari told the court that KP leaders were falsely named in these politically motivated cases, but public prosecutor refuted his claims and argued that Khattak along with leaders from KP and other participants of the mob which attacked PTV and other government buildings were actively involved in the violent attacks.
2014, sit-in
In 2014, PTI along with Tahir ul Qadri demonstrated against the PML-N government over the against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town killings for 104 days.At the climax of this long sit-in, protestors had allegedly beaten up the SSP Asmatullah Junejo on Constitution Avenue. The protest which remained calm for a prolonged period of time apparently turned violent and it ended up attacking the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and the parts of the Parliament.
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Following these unpleasant scenes in the Federal Capital, cases were registered against the Imran Khan and Qadri along with other prominent party leaders.
PTI denies the criminal intent
PTI leaders have denied the violent attack on the institutions. PTI leadership condemned the attacks on government buildings and claimed that the protesters were not from his party.
In Pakistan, there is an increasing trend of crushing political dissent by using legal means in this country. The culture of political victimization needs to end if Pakistan wants to make serious progress towards becoming a democratic country.
PTI leadership has criticized the cases lodged against him in ATC and termed them politically motivated primarily aimed to take vengeance against Khan’s political struggle in the country. Party has opposed the use of terrorism cases against the political leaders to gain political ascendency and vengeance.
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It is apparent that Khan and others who protested against the government are subjected to political retribution. In Pakistan, there is an increasing trend of crushing political dissent by using legal means in this country. The culture of political victimization needs to end if Pakistan wants to make serious progress towards becoming a democratic country.