ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday overturned the convictions of MNA Abdul Latif from Chitral and other activists of PTI in the Ramna police station attack case.
A division bench of the IHC heard appeals against the Anti-Terrorism Court’s verdict, which had sentenced Latif and others to 27 years under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code for rioting and damaging public property on May 9, 2023, following arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
PTI’s legal team, led by Dr. Babar Awan, argued that the case lacked credible evidence and that the Anti-Terrorism Act was wrongly applied.
He said the only items recovered were a baton, a PTI cap and a party flag – no weapons. He also noted the absence of CCTV footage, calling the case weak and politically motivated.
Dr. Awan urged the court to hear the main appeals rather than just the sentence suspension, stating that acquittal was unavoidable.
After hearing arguments, the IHC acquitted the accused present in court, marking a significant legal shift in the aftermath of the May 9 protests.