- The court order came after the plaintiff changed the statement.
- Sanaullah took a jibe at the PTI chief for his appearance in the court.
- A case was registered against the minister in August last year.
GUJRANWALA: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday acquitted Home Minister Rana Sanaullah in a case relating to threats to the Punjab chief secretary, his family and other officials.
The court pronounced this verdict after the plaintiff in the case changed his statement.
The case was originally registered against the senior politician of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after a complaint was filed at Gujranwala’s Industrial Police Station on August 25, 2022 by Sheikh Shekhaz Aslam, a leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), citing threats made by Sanaullah.
After the court hearing, the minister spoke to reporters about appearing boldly before the judges, without resorting to any form of concealment such as using a “bucket” on one’s head.
“All our leaders, including me, appeared in the court,” he said, adding that he had not informed anyone before coming to the court.
The interior minister said neither he nor any member of his party broke down court doors or prevented judges from doing their job.
He said, “We faced the law as a common man. We did not put buckets on our heads, nor did such dramas.”
Earlier in February, the ATC had also issued an arrest warrant for Sanaullah and asked the police to produce him on March 7.
In March, the minister requested exemption from attending court due to official engagements, but his request was denied. After this, the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him.
The warrants were later suspended and instead he was directed to furnish a surety bond of Rs 100,000.
Case
The case against the senior PML-N politician was registered under section 7 (punishment for terrorist acts) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, and sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 189 (threat of causing hurt to public servant) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
It said that the Home Minister made threatening remarks in a TV show.
The FIR said, “Sanaullah’s statements were aimed at terrorizing the judiciary, chief secretary, commissioner and the people of the country.” “Their aim was to prevent the officers from working and to prevent them from fulfilling their legitimate responsibilities.”
The complainant alleged that the speeches of the minister have created fear in the judiciary, bureaucracy, police, administration and the country. He demanded an inquiry against the PML-N leader.
