Non-pursuit leads to rejection; PTI leader accused of setting fire to police vehicles and containers
Former PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub’s pre-arrest bail applications in three cases related to the May 9 riots have been dismissed by the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing and dismissed the three interim bails for non-prosecution. The court also rejected Ayub’s request for a one-day exemption from appearing in person.
The cases against the former opposition leader involve allegations of burning police vehicles in Gulberg, setting fire to a container at Kalma Chowk and attacking Islamabad police at Zaman Park. The three FIRs pertain to incidents registered after the May 9, 2023 riots.
Read: Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz among 59 convicted by ATC in Rana Sanaullah residence attack case
In August this year, an ATC in Faisalabad sentenced Ayub, along with 16 other PTI leaders, to 10 years in a May 9 case related to an attack on PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s house. Ayub’s bail pleas in three separate cases were also rejected by Justice Arshad Javed in Lahore. The cases concerned alleged attacks on military installations during May 9.
Non-bailable arrest warrants were then issued against PTI leaders, including the former opposition leader.
Read more: ATC issues arrest warrants for Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz over May 9 riots
The May 9, 2023 riots broke out following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises. The protests led to hundreds of PTI workers and leaders being booked in cases related to the riots.
Several PTI leaders, including Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, have also faced charges in connection with the May 9 riots, as cases related to the riots continue.
