Islamabad court reserves verdicts on two acquittal pleas filed by PTI's Asad Qaiser in protest cases

The District and Sessions Courts of Islamabad held hearings on three separate protest-related cases involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Tuesday, as legal proceedings against opposition figures continue across the country.

Out of the three cases, verdicts have been reserved on two acquittal applications, with Judicial Magistrate Azhar Nadeem presiding over those hearings. The verdicts are scheduled to be announced on June 23.

Appearing before the court, Asad Qaiser’s lawyer, Ayesha Khalid, argued that her client has no previous criminal record, was not present at the scene, and that no recoveries were made from him.

“These cases are politically motivated and have no legal standing,” she asserted, adding that the charges stem from Qaiser’s alleged involvement in the Azadi March and Haqiqi Azadi March, with FIRs registered at Industrial Area and Sangjani police stations.

In the third case, related to a protest FIR lodged at Kohsar Police Station, the hearing was conducted by Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah. Initial arguments on the acquittal plea were made by lawyer Safia, with the court adjourning proceedings until May 24 and calling for further submissions.

Asad Qaiser, the former National Assembly Speaker and a senior PTI figure, appeared in court accompanied by his legal team, including Ayesha Khalid, as his party continues to face legal and political pressure on multiple fronts.