PESHAWAR: An anti-terrorism court in Peshawar on Wednesday acquitted exiled human rights activist Gulalai Ismail’s parents of terrorism and sedition charges, over three years after the cases were registered.
Gulalai Ismail’s father, professor Muhammad Ismail, aged 69, is a prominent member of Pakistani civil society and a human rights defender.
The court was set to announce the verdict in an earlier hearing, however, the verdict was postponed until February 15th.
Today Peshawar anti-terrosim court will announce the verdict of the malafide sedition&terrorism case against my parents. The case was registered in July2019 and my parents were acquitted in August2020. A month later the case was reopened and my parents put on a torturous trial. https://t.co/PK4LMpAKdh
— Gulalai Ismail ګلالۍاسماعیل (@Gulalai_Ismail) February 15, 2023
A slew of cases was registered against professor Ismail and his wife after daughter Gulalai Ismail had gone into hiding in 2019 amid a growing crackdown against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement leaders.
At the time, Gulalai Ismail was nominated in a case in Islamabad for allegedly defaming state institutions and inciting violence through a speech delivered in a demonstration against the sexual abuse and killing of a minor girl.
Gulalai Ismail is currently living in self-exile in the US.
Earlier in another case, an anti-terrorism court also acquitted the family of terrorism charges due to lack of evidence.
Human Rights Activists Welcome Acquittal:
National Democratic Movement (NDM) member Khushal Khan Khattak said: “Great news! Parents of @NDM_Official leader @Gulalai_Ismail have been acquitted by ATC in Peshawar. They had been charged with sedition, conspiracy against state, terrorism and terror financing. Congratulations to @ProfMIsmail and his wife!”
Great news! Parents of @NDM_Official leader @Gulalai_Ismail have been acquitted by ATC in Peshawar. They had been charged with sedition, conspiracy against state, terrorism and terror financing. Congratulations to @ProfMIsmail and his wife! pic.twitter.com/tHgbJY6ZNH
— Khushal Khan (@Khushal_Khattak) February 15, 2023
Lawyer and activist Nighat Dad said: “Finally Gulalai_Ismail parents are acquitted from wrongful accusations and Ali Wazir is released too. No family should go through the trauma what their families had to face in last couple of years. Congrats to all those who have been persistent in raising their plight.”
Finally @Gulalai_Ismail parents are acquitted from wrongful accusations and Ali Wazir is released too. No family should go through the trauma what their families had to face in last couple of years. Congrats to all those who have been persistent in raising their plight. pic.twitter.com/EBTPaHoPNK
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) February 15, 2023
NDM leader Mohsin Dawar said: “Congratulations to Prof M Ismail and his wife, parents of @NDM_Official leader @Gulalai_Ismail, who have been acquitted by the ATC in Peshawar in the fake case filed against them. They have been harassed and persecuted for far too long. Their resolve remains unshaken.”
Congratulations to @ProfMIsmail and his wife, parents of @NDM_Official leader @Gulalai_Ismail, who have been acquitted by the ATC in Peshawar in the fake case filed against them. They have been harassed and persecuted for far too long. Their resolve remains unshaken. pic.twitter.com/8VxaE3vI0E
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) February 15, 2023
