Sheikh Rashid was acquitted in the assassination plot case against Asif Ali Zardari.

Islamabad – A District and Sessions Court in Islamabad has acquitted former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in a case related to his allegations against former President Asif Ali Zardari. Rashid had accused Zardari of plotting the assassination of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood delivered the reserved verdict on Friday, granting Rashid’s acquittal in the case. Speaking to the media outside the courthouse, Rashid expressed his gratitude for the court’s decision, stating, “With Allah’s help, I have been acquitted today, though 14 terrorism cases remain.”

The case against Rashid was registered in 2023 at the Abpara Police Station in Islamabad. It included charges of conspiracy and incitement, following statements made by Rashid about the assassination plot against Imran Khan. However, the court found in favour of Rashid’s acquittal, sparking his comments on the political landscape and the ongoing legal challenges.

During his interaction with the media, Rashid also highlighted the political situation in the country, criticising the ruling parties. “The current rulers have served their purpose, and now they are the ones facing public criticism and even hostility,” he remarked. He further added that both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have become symbols of public disdain.

Rashid questioned the legitimacy of the terrorism charges against him, stating, “I wasn’t even present at the scene when the alleged incident happened, yet terrorism cases have been filed against me in places like Mach, Lasbela, and Murree—places I have never even visited.”

The former federal minister also spoke about the economic challenges facing the country, particularly the plight of farmers. “Farmers are not receiving fair prices for wheat,” he said, while accusing the current government of being under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).