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12 accused file exemption pleas in court
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi and Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Monday filed acquittal pleas in PTV, Parliament attack cases registered against party leaders under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) when a sit-in was convened in 2014.
As an anti-terrorism court began hearing the cases today, 12 accused in the cases including Finance Minister Asad Umar and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi filed exemption pleas from appearing in court.
Acquittal pleas certify that an accused is cleared of a criminal offence. Last month, ATC had granted a permanent exemption to Prime Minister Imran from appearing in the two cases.
THE CASES:
On Sept 1 2014, a mob of protesters belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) stormed PTV headquarters and forced its staff to take two of the state broadcaster’s flagship channels — PTV News and PTV World — off the air. At least 103 people are accused in the case.
A day before the attack on PTV, on Aug 31, 2014, PTI and PAT workers had clashed with police while marching towards Parliament and Prime Minister’s House. The clashes resulted in the deaths of three protesters. Hundreds, including the demonstrators and police officials, were wounded.
In August 2014, Imran Khan and PAT founder Tahirul Qadri took to the streets in Islamabad against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town sit-in. The protest continued for 104 days.
from Pakistan Today
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