Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had submitted two pleas to the anti-terrorism court seeking acquittal and exemption from appearance on February 15, 2018. Photo: Geo News file

 

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chief Imran Khan will appear before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) today for the proceedings of violence cases related to 2014 sit-ins.

The ATC is hearing four cases ? attack on the state television building, Parliament and Junejo ? against PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek leaders.

Imran's legal counsel, on February 15, had submitted two pleas to the anti-terrorism court seeking acquittal and exemption from appearance. His legal counsel had pleaded the court to take up the acquittal plea before the indictment of his client  

On February 23, the ATC had rejected the petition seeking an exemption from Imran's appearance from the hearing.

The PTI chief, who was issued summons on January 31, had appeared before the court at the last hearing. Judge Shahrukh Arjumand had heard the case regarding injuries sustained by SSP Asmatullah Junejo's in an attack in the Red Zone during the PTI-led sit-in.

Imran had termed the cases 'undemocratic,' adding that holding a public gathering was not terrorism. The ATC judge had remarked that the cases will be handled according to law.

The cases

In August 2014, Khan and Tahirul Qadri took to streets in Islamabad against alleged rigging in 2013 general elections and Model Town sit-in. The protest had continued for 104 days.

During the sit-in, the protesters beat up SSP Asmatullah Junejo on Constitution Avenue when they attacked the Pakistan Television (PTV) headquarters and the parts of the Parliament.

A case had been filed against Khan, Qadri and others for torturing SSP Junejo and five other police officers.

The PTI chief had pleaded the court to transfer the cases to civil court however the request was rejected on December 11, 2017.