May 9 mayhem: PTI's Qureshi acquitted in 2 more cases, Dr Yasmin and others sentenced to 10 years

Lahore (Web Desk): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday announced its verdict in two high-profile cases stemming from the violent events of May 9, 2023, linked to protests following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Manzar Ali Gill at a temporary courtroom set up inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, following the conclusion of arguments last week.

The cases involved the arson of police vehicles near Jinnah House and an attack on the Shadman police station. 

In a significant development, senior PTI leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was found not guilty in both the Jinnah House vehicle arson case and the attack on Shadman Police Station. 

Howeve, the court sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and others including Ayesha Ali Bhutta, Muhammad Fahim, Niaz Ahmed, Ali Hasan, Zain Ali, Asad Ali, Bilal Wajahat, Bilal Bashir, Muhammad Qasim, Zain ul Hassan, and Hafiz Muhammad Arshad to 10 years in jail each for their involvement in the Jinnah House case.

Two more accused, Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed, were sentenced to five years each. Those cleared of charges in the same case included Qureshi, along with Abrar, Amjad, Faisal, Jamil, Saadia, and Tasneem.

In the separate Shadman Police Station incident, the court acquitted 12 of the 25 individuals on trial.

Among those exonerated were Qureshi once again, in addition to Sohail Khan, Muhammad Owais, Rafiuddin, Farid Khan, Salman Ahmed, Abdul Qadir, Faizan, Tayyab Sultan, Shahid Baig, Majid Ali, and Bakht.

During the proceedings, several individuals were declared absconders. Additionally, one of the accused passed away while the trial was ongoing. Notably, none of those who had secured bail, including Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed, were present in court when the decision was announced.

Meanwhile, in the case concerning the torching of police vehicles, 17 people were indicted, while seven were declared proclaimed offenders. A total of 65 witnesses were presented by the prosecution to support the charges.

The May 9 events were triggered by Khan’s dramatic arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case, which led to widespread unrest, including attacks on military installations including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander House in Lahore.

The PTI supporters took to the streets, leading to widespread violence and arrests across the country.