In a significant legal development, a local court in Islamabad has acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with prominent PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, and others, in connection with the ‘Azadi March’ case.
Judicial Magistrate Malik Imran, presiding over the case, cited lack of evidence as the reason for their acquittal. The case, registered with the Industrial Area police station, pertained to alleged violations of Section 144 and acts of vandalism during the Azadi March.
This marks a pivotal moment in the legal battles faced by the PTI leadership following the tumultuous events of May 25, 2022, when the Azadi March was initiated in response to the no-confidence motion that ousted the PTI government.
Multiple FIRs were lodged against the PTI leadership across various police stations in Islamabad, with charges including abetment, rioting, unlawful assembly, obstructing public service, disobedience, assault on public servants, causing damage, and mischief by fire or explosive substance.
Notably, this isn’t the first legal victory for Imran Khan, as he has previously been acquitted in several cases registered by the Karachi Company and Khanna police.
The acquittal has sparked reactions across the political spectrum, with supporters of the PTI hailing it as vindication, while critics question the efficacy of the legal process. As the dust settles on this chapter, attention now turns to the broader implications for Pakistan’s political landscape.
