ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday nullified the terror charges against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, instructing the authorities to remove sections of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) from the case against the PTI Chairman for allegedly threatening an Islamabad judge.
A two-member bench, headed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah, announced the decision on Imran Khan’s plea seeking dismissal of the case.
Imran Khan was booked under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly threatening a sessions judge in his address at a gathering in Islamabad.
The party had moved the IHC to grant Khan interim-bail, but the court had directed the former premier to approach an ATC as it was a terror case.
IHC CJ Minallah asked about the opinions expressed by the joint investigation team (JIT) at the beginning of the hearing.
The prosecutor responded to the query by stating that the JIT holds that the ATA sections apply to the former premier’s statement.
Imran Khan’s attorney disagreed with the claim, claiming that the case lacked certain fundamental elements that are necessary to support terrorism accusations.
“A terror case can be filed for inciting fear and dread, not on the likelihood that such an atmosphere will be incited,” he stated.
The counsel noted that the former premier spoke about taking legal action and lodging a case against an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Deputy Inspector-General (DIG), contending that the individuals concerned should have filed the case.
He said a “mastermind” was behind this computerized complaint against Imran Khan that has been written with patience.
Hearing the arguments from both sides, the IHC chief justice ordered the authorities to remove sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) from the case while announcing the verdict.
