Arif Alvi files request to be acquitted in the PTV attack case
Dr Arif Alvi never asked for presidential immunity in the PTV attack case, according to his lawyer. He says there is no case against him at all.
Speaking to the media outside an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday morning, President Alvi’s lawyer Ali Bukhari told the media that he had filed the president’s acquittal plea.
Cases were registered against President Alvi and other PTI leaders for attacking the PTV office and parliament in 2014.
In his petition, Dr Alvi said there was no case against him and asked for his acquittal plea to be heard.
On September 7, Bukhari told the media outside the ATC that Alvi, who was then president-elect, would be seeking presidential immunity in the case.
By invoking this immunity, the proceedings against Dr Alvi cannot continue. Under Article 248 of the Constitution, criminal cases cannot be lodged or proceeded with against the president or governors during their terms in office.
Two cases against former president Asif Ali Zardari were stopped and during the subsequent case hearing on December 13, 2012 at the Islamabad High Court it was ruled that even when invoking immunity, the court needs to be consulted.
The attack occurred during the 126-day PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek protest against the PML-N government in 2014.
Workers and leaders of the parties marched towards Parliament House and Prime Minister House in Islamabad and attacked the PTV office. During a clash between protesters and the police 50 workers attacked and seriously injured SSP Asmatullah Junejo.
Cases were lodged against Prime Minister Imran Khan, PAT head Tahirul Qadri, Dr Alvi, Finance Minister Asad Umer, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Federal Education and National Heritage Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Raja Khurram Nawaz Gandapur under the Anti-Terrorism Act for inciting violence.
According to the prosecution, three people were killed, 26 injured and 60 arrested.
Article source: https://www.samaa.tv/news/2018/10/arif-alvi-files-request-to-be-acquitted-in-the-ptv-attack-case/