Court acquits Imran Khan in two cases related to vandalism during the long march

Islamabad: In a significant legal development, former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been acquitted in two long march vandalism cases by a judicial magistrate in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The verdict was announced by Judicial Magistrate Shaista Kundi, following the earlier reservation of the decision. Notably, the court rejected the request to produce the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder in court during the proceedings.
During the hearing, Imran's counsel, Naeem Panjotha, argued that all charges against the former premier were related to the extent of intimation. He pointed out that Imran was booked in multiple similar cases on the same day, and questioned the authority of the complainant, who was an SHO, to lodge a case. Furthermore, Panjotha highlighted the absence of witness statements in the case.
Responding to the judge's inquiry about Imran's previous acquittals, the counsel confirmed that Imran had indeed been acquitted in prior cases.
Subsequently, the court reserved the verdict and announced it later in the day.
The complaints against Imran Khan were registered at the Sahala and Lohi Bhair police stations.
The charges stemmed from incidents during the long march in May 2022, when Islamabad police filed separate cases against 150 individuals, including Imran Khan, along with other PTI leaders such as Asad Umar and Asad Qaiser. They were accused of arson and vandalism in the federal capital.
Footage from Safe City cameras and private TV news channels served as evidence in the cases. Subsequently, 39 individuals were taken into custody after being identified from the footage.
Two FIRs were registered at the Kohsar police station under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including abetment, rioting armed with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly, obstructing public service, disobedience, assault on public servants, causing damage, and mischief by fire or explosive substances with intent to cause damage.
According to the FIR filed by Sub-Inspector Asif Raza, a group of 100-150 people with PTI flags moved towards Express Chowk from Jinnah Avenue's China Chowk around 11 PM. Despite police attempts to stop them due to the imposition of Section 144 in Islamabad, the protesters allegedly pelted stones at the officers and set fire to trees.
Imran Khan's march towards Islamabad aimed to topple the coalition government that assumed power after his ouster as prime minister following a vote of no confidence. The rally was part of PTI's struggle to achieve what they termed as "real freedom" and to liberate the nation from the perceived "slavery" of the "US-backed" coalition government.
Imran accused the coalition government of being an "imported government" that came to power through a US-backed conspiracy.
In conclusion, Imran Khan's acquittal in the long march vandalism cases marks a significant legal victory for the former prime minister. However, the political implications of these developments remain to be seen, as they come amidst a backdrop of heightened political tensions in the country.
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