ATC orders to seize properties of Imran, Qadri in dharna case

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday ordered to temporarily seize the properties of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri till their production in court.

The ATC based in the federal capital issued notices to the police and revenue department to seize the properties of the two absconders, who face charges of destroying property in the Red Zone, attacking the state TV channel's building and injuring a senior police officer. The relevant SHOs were directed to produce the suspects in court at the next hearing, Geo News reported. 

In August 2014, violence broke out in the federal capital when the PTI and PAT supporters attempted to break a police cordon and storm the PM House, using cranes to remove barricades.

The clashes between police and protesters resulted in the deaths of three people and caused injuries to over 560. Of the injured, 77 were security officials deployed in the Red Zone, including Islamabad Operations SSP Asmatullah Junejo.

The decision to march to the PM House was taken after talks between the government, PTI and PAT had failed to end the deadlock over the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.  The two parties were protesting against "rigging" in the 2013 general election.