PTI leaders acquitted in Azadi March case

An Islamabad local court has acquitted several PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shireen Mazari, Faisal Javed Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sheikh Rashid, Zartaj Gul, and others in a case filed at PS Abpara Islamabad on May 25, 2022. The case stemmed from a rally, known as the Azadi March, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan from KP to Islamabad on the same date. This rally took place following Imran Khan's removal from the Prime Minister's office through a vote of no-confidence on April 9, 2022.

Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mehmood delivered the verdict at the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad, citing a lack of evidence presented by the prosecution to support the allegations of vandalism and other charges outlined in the FIR. Advocates Sardar Masroof, Ansar Kiyani, and Amna Ali represented the accused and filed a petition under section 249-A CrPC.

The court's decision to acquit all the accused PTI leaders was based on the insufficient evidence linking them to the alleged offenses during the rally. The legal representatives successfully argued for the dismissal of the charges, ultimately leading to the court's ruling in favor of the defendants.

The acquittal of the PTI leaders highlights the importance of presenting strong evidence in legal proceedings. This case serves as a reminder of the need for thorough investigations and solid proof to support criminal allegations. The court's decision underscores the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' and emphasizes the significance of upholding justice through fair and transparent legal processes.