ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP): An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad raised questions over the pace of investigation in cases registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers over the November 26 protest, noting that only a small number of challans have been submitted despite a large number of accused.
The cases were heard by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra at the Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad. During the hearing, the judge expressed concern over the failure to arrest PTI leadership named in various cases.
The judge observed that around 17,000 people have been nominated in the protest cases, while challans for only about 500 accused have been filed so far. He remarked that challans appeared to have been submitted mainly against poor accused, while key accused were not being arrested.
The court questioned why proclaimed offenders, who were seen moving freely in Islamabad and appearing before higher courts, had not been arrested. The judge also asked whether the police were submitting challans selectively and whether the prosecution had questioned the police when records were returned.
The court further asked whether the police and administration were aware of the proclaimed offenders named in the cases. Calling the situation serious, the judge said selective filing of challans was creating problems in the cases.
The court summoned the station house officer in case number 544 related to the November 26 protest for the next hearing and adjourned further proceedings until March 11.