An anti-terrorism court (ATC)—a special court that hears terrorism-related cases—in Lahore on Friday acquitted a man named Abdullah in a case over the alleged recovery of explosive material. ATC Judge Shahid Sikandar said the prosecution’s case was riddled with doubts and the evidence against him was insufficient.
The Lahore ATC gave Abdullah the benefit of the doubt after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He was brought from jail to the courtroom for the announcement of the verdict.
What the CTD alleged
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD)—the police wing that investigates terrorism cases—in Lahore registered the case against Abdullah in 2025. It alleged that he was affiliated with a proscribed organisation, that explosive material had been recovered from his possession, and that he was involved in terrorist activities.
Those claims formed the heart of the prosecution’s case. The Lahore ATC, however, held that the material placed before it did not meet the legal standard needed for a conviction.
What the defence argued
Advocates Ghalib Shamsi and Salma Iqbal appeared for Abdullah. The defence maintained that he had no links with any proscribed organisation and that no explosive material had been recovered from him.
By acquitting him, the court accepted that the charges had not been established beyond a reasonable doubt. The ruling closes this particular CTD case against Abdullah at the trial stage, unless a higher court later takes a different view—something the available record does not address.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Lahore ki ATC ne Abdullah ko explosives recovery case mein bari kar diya. CTD ne 2025 mein us par banned group se link aur dhamaka khez mawaad ka ilzam lagaya tha. Court ne kaha ke saboot kamzor thay aur shak ka faida usay diya gaya. Matlab yeh ke sirf ilzam kafi nahi; court ko clear proof chahiye.
