LAHORE:
An anti -terrorism court (ATC) rejected Friday on Friday by the bail after the arrest of three main PTI leaders: Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Umar Sarftaz Chema and Mian Mehmoodur stood out, in a case of disturbances of May 9, 2023.
The ATC judge, Manzar Ali Gul, issued a decision after hearing arguments from both sides. The case related to the fire and disturbances outside the Rahat de Lahore bakery and was registered by the Sarwar Road Police Station.
Qureshi serves as Vice President of PTI, while Cheema and Rasheed, respectively, served as Governor of Punjab and provincial minister during the PTI government.
Meanwhile, a court of first instance in Islamabad reserved its decision on a statement filed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi seeking acquittal in another case of May 9. Judicial magistrate Shehzad Khan heard the case in the district court and sessions of Islamabad.
During the process, Qureshi’s lawyer, Ali Bukhari, appeared before the court and argued that several coacked have already been acquitted in the same case. He pointed out that on March 8, 2025, the court had acquitted other people involved in the matter.
Bukhari argued that Qureshi was accused of acting in a video message from PTI Imran Khan founder, who allegedly led to acts of vandalism. He asked the court to dismiss the charges against his client for reasons similar to those who previously acquitted.
After the arguments, the court reserved its decision on the declaration of acquittal of Qureshi. The case was initially recorded at the Tarnol Police Station.
Separately, the audience of another case related to the march of Haqeeqi Azadi, which involves the founder of PTI and party workers, could not proceed due to the lack of availability of Imran Khan, who has been arrested in the Adiala jail of Rawalpindi since September 2023.
The court marked the assistance of the other defendant and postponed the procedures without more developments. The lawyer Masroof Khan appeared on behalf of PTI workers during the hearing.
