PESHAWAR:
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has adjourned the hearing of Kamran Bangash’s case, a former provincial minister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), due to the absence of prosecution witnesses.
The case pertains to allegations of firing on police personnel. The court has now summoned the witnesses to appear at the next hearing, set for February 10.
Bangash, who was indicted last week, denied the charges against him, prompting the commencement of his trial.
On Monday, ATC Judge Asad Ali initiated the proceedings, but the absence of prosecution witnesses prevented their statements from being recorded.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on December 20, 2023, when Chamkani police raided Kamran Bangash’s guest house in search of absconding PTI leader Murad Saeed. The operation escalated into violence, resulting in gunfire that injured two police officers.
A case was subsequently registered against Bangash and his associates on charges including terrorism. Following an investigation, police submitted the challan, allowing the trial to proceed.
Bangash was taken into police custody in October 2023 near his residence close to the Peshawar motorway toll plaza. The arrest followed a tip-off about his location and was carried out with female police officers present.
The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for February 10.
