Rana Sanaullah acquitted in threatening bureaucrats case

GUJRANWALA: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Tuesday was acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in a case involving threats to the Punjab chief secretary, his family, and other officers.

The court issued the decision after the case’s plaintiff altered their statement.

The case was originally filed against the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) politician at the Industrial Police Station in Gujranwala on August 25, 2022, after a complaint was lodged by Sheikh Shekaz Aslam, a leader from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), citing threats made by Sanaullah.

After the court hearing, Sanaullah spoke to journalists about fearlessly appearing before the judges, without resorting to any form of concealment such as using “buckets” over one’s head.

“All our leaders, including me, appeared in the courts,” he said, adding that he hadn’t informed anyone before coming to the court.

The interior minister said neither he nor any of his party’s members broke down doors of the court or stop judges from doing their work.

“We faced the law as a common man. We did not put buckets on our heads, nor did such dramas,” he added.

Earlier in February, the ATC had also issued an arrest warrant to apprehend Sanaullah and asked the police to present him on March 7.

In March, the minister requested an exemption from appearing at the court due to official engagements, but his request was turned down. The court then issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him.

The warrants were later suspended and instead directed him to submit surety bonds worth Rs100,000.

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