An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Monday dismissed the acquittal plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Javed Khan in the Faizabad protest case.
The case pertains to protests staged by PTI leaders at Faizabad following the disqualification of the party’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra.
During the proceedings, several accused, including Amir Mehmood Kiyani, Rashid Hafeez, and Jamshed Mughal, were present in court, while Faisal Javed Khan, Haider Bin Masood, and Raja Majid submitted applications seeking exemption from personal appearance.
Legal representatives for the accused included Ilyas Siddiqui, Sardar Masroof Khan, Zahid Bashir Dar, and others. The court rejected Faisal Javed’s request for acquittal and proceeded with recording the statements of two prosecution witnesses. The judge stated that cross-examination could be conducted at the next hearing if the defense wished to do so.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was again absent from the hearing. The court noted his absence and reissued its previous order regarding his appearance.
A notable moment during the proceedings occurred when the judge addressed Amir Mehmood Kiyani, stating, “Mr. Amir Kiyani, please leave the courtroom. You are a proclaimed offender; if the police hear of this, they might arrest you.” The judge emphasized that Kiyani had been declared a proclaimed offender on three separate occasions.
Kiyani acknowledged his mistake and admitted to failing to appear in court. The judge instructed him to submit a formal request for relief, which the court would consider.
The hearing of the Faizabad protest case was adjourned until July 31.