An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday initiated proceedings to declare fashion designer Khadija Shah and four other accused proclaimed offenders in the Askari Tower attack case, linked to the May 9 violence.
ATC Administrative Judge Manzar Ali Gul heard the case and directed the authorities to publish advertisements summoning the absconding accused — Khadija Shah, Hamza Sohail, Usman Aslam, and Ahmed Mursalin — to appear before the court by December 1. The court warned that if the accused failed to comply, they would be officially declared proclaimed offenders.
The court order came after the prosecution said the accused had repeatedly failed to appear for trial, despite being given ample time and the issuance of arrest warrants. The public prosecutor stated that advertisements would be published as per legal procedure and a report would be submitted to the court by the next hearing.
According to the prosecution, Khadija Shah, who is the daughter of a former finance minister and granddaughter of a former army chief, has gone into hiding following her sentencing in another May 9-related case. The prosecutor added that the accused “are not appearing due to fear of arrest.”
The Askari Tower attack case is among several high-profile trials stemming from the May 9, 2023, unrest, when violent protests erupted across the country following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Several public and military installations were attacked during the riots, leading to hundreds of arrests and multiple terrorism cases.
The court has now formally begun proceedings to declare the accused proclaimed offenders and has sought the police report on advertisement publication by December 1.
