PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notices to the relevant parties and sought replies on a petition seeking the quashing of a case registered against suspects nominated in connection with violent incidents that occurred within the jurisdiction of Faqirabad Police Station after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
The review petition was heard by a single-member bench comprising Justice Aurangzeb Khan. During the hearing, Special Prosecutor Muhammad Inam Yousafzai appeared before the court. He submitted that a case bearing FIR No. 614 had been registered against PTI workers and local leadership within the limits of Faqirabad Police Station.
The special prosecutor informed the court that the prosecution intended to withdraw the case and had formally filed an application before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), which, however, rejected the request.
He argued that the ATC’s decision had been challenged in the high court as it was not in accordance with the law. The special prosecutor contended that FIR No. 614 related to the May 9 incidents was politically motivated and that the provincial government wished to withdraw the case.
He requested the court to set aside the ATC’s order and approve the prosecution’s plea for withdrawal of the case, arguing that if the prosecution itself did not wish to pursue the matter, the court could not reject such a request. The court adjourned proceedings after issuing notices to the relevant parties seeking their responses.
