ISLAMABAD – Advocate General Islamabad Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri on Wednesdaychallenged the anti-terrorism court’s (ATC) acquittal of Imran Khan in thetorture case of a senior police officer during the 2014 sit-in.

The petition maintains that Imran is among the prime accused in the torturecase of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Asmatullah Junejo during thepolice operation to push back protesters during the 2014 sit-in organisedby Imran and Dr Tahirul Qadri.

Jahangiri filed the petition on behalf of the State of Pakistan in theIslamabad High Court (IHC). The petition states that the impugned judgmentwas passed without keeping all evidence in consideration. The petition alsoalleges that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s involvement in theincident is obvious, yet the court did not consider that while passing thejudgment.

The petition further maintains that since Imran was also named in the FIRof the incident, his acquittal is questioned. It alleged that the judgedidn’t take the gravity of the offence and its importance in considerationwhile handing down the verdict.

On May 4, an ATC acquitted Imran in the SSP Asmatullah Junejo attack case,filed after the 2014 sit-in.

ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjumand read out the verdict in the case. “You aredischarged from the case,” said the judge. “Thank you,” replied Imran andwalked out of the courtroom.

The court had deferred the judgment on April 25 in the acquittal pleasubmitted by Imran and ordered him to appear in person.