LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore has ordered the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Judge Manzar Ali Gul of the Lahore ATC ordered Qureshi’s release in two cases related to May 9 events. The court has also issued a letter to the Superintendent Jail to release the accused, saying that the accused should be released if he is not wanted in any other case.
Also read: Yasmin Rashid and others sentenced in two May 9 cases, Qureshi acquitted
Yesterday, the ATC had delivered its verdict in the cases of Shadman police station encirclement and burning of vehicles near Jinnah House in Kot Lakhpat Jail. In the verdict, Shah Mehmood Qureshi had been acquitted, while other PTI leaders including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Ijaz Chaudhry were sentenced to 10 years in prison each.
It may be recalled that after Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al-Qadir Trust case, there was a nationwide protest by the PTI on May 9, 2023. During the protest, office of the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was also burnt down in the Model Town area of Lahore. Moreover, severe damage was caused to military, civil and private installations during the protest events.
The protesters also stormed the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore and also broke a gate of the GHQ in Rawalpindi. After these events, 1,900 people were arrested on charges of fighting, vandalism and arson.
SC SEEKS ASSISTANCE IN IMRAN KHAN’S BAIL CASES
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a notice to the Punjab government on eight bail appeals of former prime minister Imran Khan, in May 9 cases.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi heard eight appeals of PTI founder Imran Khan. During the hearing, the CJP said that depth findings have been given in the bail application which poses the question that whether these findings should be given in a bail hearing.
He said that the court will not go into whether these finding are correct or not, rather the question is the legality of whether these should be issued at this point.
Also read: Imran Khan files plea for medical check-up by Shaukat Khanum doctors
CJP Afridi said that if the legal findings are considered at this point, then the case for someone else may be affected later. He asked whether final observations can be given in the bail case, and sought responses from lawyers from both sides in the case. He said that counsels of both parties in the case should assist on these legal questions.
Later, the court issued a notice to the Punjab government and adjourned the hearing till August 19.