ATC declares Murad Saeed, Hammad Azhar absconders in Judicial Complex attack case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Murad Saeed, and Hammad Azhar as absconders over continuous absence from numerous court hearings in cases related to the Judicial Complex attack.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing against the PTI leaders and also issued arrest warrants for former state minister Farrukh Habib, Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Basharat, and several other absentees in the case.

Following the attendance of the available accused, the court adjourned further hearings on both cases until April 7.

The PTI leaders are facing two cases registered at Ramna Police Station related to the incident. The case relates to an incident that occurred during former prime minister Imran Khan’s appearance at the Judicial Complex in Islamabad, where he sought bail in multiple cases.

A huge crowd of PTI supporters assembled at the location dismantled security barriers, vandalised the complex’s entrance gate, and obstructed court proceedings.

In response, Islamabad Police filed a terrorism case against several suspects, citing Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and Section 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duties.

Several individuals were arrested, with law enforcement recovering a Kalashnikov and other weapons from those detained. Raids were conducted across different provinces to apprehend additional suspects.