- In a significant development, the case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Yasmin Rashid in relation to the Jinnah House attack has been dismissed by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore.
The court announced its verdict and rejected the police’s plea for physical remand of Dr. Rashid, emphasizing the lack of incriminating evidence linking her to the offense. This decision marks a turning point in the legal proceedings and clears Dr. Rashid from any involvement in the case.
According to a copy of the court order obtained the investigating officer had requested a 14-day physical remand of Dr. Rashid for various tests and the recovery of mobile phones.
However, upon review of the evidence, it was revealed that she was neither nominated in the First Information Report (FIR) nor implicated through any supplementary statements. The court order emphasized that the disclosure of co-accused, on which Dr. Rashid was summoned, held no evidentiary value in the eyes of the law.
According to the court’s judgement, “Since no incriminating material is available on record to connect her with the commission of the offence, therefore, the request of the investigating officer is turned down, and she is accordingly discharged from the instant case.”
Additionally, it ordered Dr. Rashid’s immediate release unless she is needed in another situation.
Following extensive violent demonstrations on May 17, Dr. Yasmin Rashid was first detained by the Lahore police under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
Subsequently, cases were registered against her at Sarwar Road, Gulberg, and Shadman police stations in Lahore, including charges related to terrorism and other serious offenses, for her alleged involvement in the riots. However, with the dismissal of the case, Dr. Rashid’s name has been cleared from all charges.
The decision of the ATC comes as a relief for Dr. Yasmin Rashid and her supporters, who have maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings. It also highlights the importance of fair and impartial judicial processes in determining guilt or innocence.
The dismissal of the case reinforces the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” and serves as a reminder of the significance of due process in a democratic society.
The Jinnah House attack, which occurred during the violent protests that lasted nearly three days, saw PTI supporters and workers allegedly attacking and ransacking public and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The incidents of violence were widely condemned by PTI leaders and lawmakers, including Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chaudhry, Mahmood Moulvi, Aftab Siddiqui, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, and Ali Zaidi, who publicly denounced the attacks on state installations and disassociated themselves from the former ruling party following the May 9 vandalism.
With the dismissal of the case against Yasmin Rashid, the focus now shifts to further investigations and legal proceedings to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable for their actions.
The justice system plays a crucial role in ensuring that those responsible for acts of violence are brought to justice, thereby upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace and order in society.
The recent developments highlight the importance of a fair and transparent judicial process in safeguarding the rights and liberties of individuals and reinforcing the principles of justice and equality.
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