ATC fixes indictment date of PTI lawyers in Khawar Manika assault case

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has scheduled tomorrow for the indictment of all accused in the case involving the alleged assault on Khawar Manika by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyers.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing.

During the proceedings, PTI lawyers requested a lengthy adjournment. However, the judge expressed displeasure over the repeated absence of several accused.

"You have turned this into a circus. You do not even appear before the court," Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra remarked.

The judge directed that proceedings would be conducted on a daily basis until all the accused were present.

"Sometimes Panjutha Sahib is attending a condolence gathering, and sometimes someone else is somewhere else," the judge observed.

In response, defence lawyers argued that they had been appearing regularly and questioned why those attending court should face delays because of the absence of others.

The judge responded that those appearing in court were also co-accused in the case.

"You may have the charges formally framed tomorrow, and I will grant you a reasonable date for the next hearing," Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra told the defence lawyers.

The Anti-Terrorism Court subsequently adjourned the hearing until tomorrow.