ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad District and Sessions Court has acquitted PTI founder Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sadaqat Abbasi, and other Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, including Sheikh Rasheed, in a case involving the violation of Article 144.
Civil Judge Malik Imran delivered the reserved judgment on the plea for acquittal of the accused.
PTI founder Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sadaqat Abbasi, and Ali Nawaz Awan were all acquitted.
The accused had been charged in 2022 at the I-9 police station for violating Section 144 and vandalism.
The same court also acquitted PTI leader Shehryar Khan Afridi and other PTI workers from a case filed at the I-9 police station related to the incidents on May 9.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has chosen Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai to lead negotiations through the opposition alliance’s platform, Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen (TTAP).
This decision follows PTI leadership’s endorsement of using TTAP’s platform for discussions with various stakeholders, the sources added.
Achakzai, who will be granted full authority to lead the negotiations, will proceed further once PTI finalizes its decision.
The talks will focus on several key issues, including the release of incarcerated leaders and workers, electoral transparency, and defining the constitutional boundaries of the judiciary, parliament, and other state institutions, based on a consensus on a common charter among all stakeholders.
PTI’s political leadership will also participate in the negotiations, the sources indicated.
This development comes a day after PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar revealed that the party’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan, had approved talks with the government. Gohar stated that the party would begin negotiations after consulting with Achakzai.
“We told the PTI founder that dialogue is necessary, as the distance is widening. He agreed with us on this,” Gohar said to journalists outside Adiala Jail.
The PTI chairman emphasized that the former prime minister wants to open avenues for dialogue and is willing to reconcile, despite past grievances. “PTI founder has said many times that ‘I am ready to forgive what happened to me’,” noted the PTI chairman.
When questioned if the negotiations would occur based on the Supreme Court’s advice, Barrister Gohar replied, “The option given by the SC is also under consideration,” but he stressed that the decision to negotiate was PTI’s “own decision.”
“PTI founder did not write any letter to the SC for negotiation. PTI will also respond to its negotiation option,” he added.
