LAHORE/EAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Rawalpindi and Lahore on Saturday adjourned proceedings in cases related to the May 9 riots involving senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, Dr Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, as well as Awami Muslim’s head Sheikh Rashid.
In Rawalpindi, an ATC heard 11 cases registered in connection with the May 9 incidents, with former federal minister Sheikh Rashid, an ally in the PTI-led government from 2018 to 2022, and other accused appearing before the court.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah adjourned the proceedings until November 21 and allowed the accused to leave after marking their attendance.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul heard post-arrest bail petitions filed by Dr Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in separate May 9 cases.
During the hearing of Yasmin Rashid’s bail petitions in two cases, including one related to the attack on Askari Tower, her counsel Rana Mudassar Umar appeared to present arguments.
However, the prosecution failed to submit the case records, prompting the court to express displeasure and direct it to produce the relevant documents at the next hearing on November 14.
The same court took up Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s post-arrest bail petition in a case involving the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House.
His counsel, Rana Mudassar Umar, appeared before the court, while the prosecution sought additional time to submit the case record.
The defence counsel accused the prosecution of delaying the bail proceedings. The court also expressed displeasure over the failure to produce the record and directed the prosecution to submit it at the next hearing on November 14.
The case was registered at Sarwar Road Police Station under FIR No. 108/23. PTI leaders have been accused of inciting party workers to engage in rioting.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi has already been acquitted in six other cases related to the May 9 incidents.
