An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore, presided over by Judge Abhar GulKhan, has declined the investigation officer’s (IO) request for anextension of physical remand for staunch PTI supporters involved in the May9 violence incident, a group that includes the notable fashion designerKhadija Shah, along with Aliya Hamza Malik, Sanam Javed, and Ayesha Bhatta.Instead, the court has ordered a 14-day judicial remand for them.
Before this decision, the suspects were presented before the courtfollowing the completion of their physical remand. During the proceedings,the IO emphasized that the charges against these women included incitingviolence and sedition, requesting an extension in their physical remand.
In contrast, the female workers opposing the IO’s plea argued that therewas no need for an extension, considering they were already in jail onphysical remand, and no substantial evidence had been recovered from themthus far.
The case against these individuals revolves around their allegedinvolvement in the vandalism and arson that occurred at Lahore’s JinnahHouse on May 9. In a separate development, the ATC has scheduled a hearingfor the bail petitions filed by 28 suspects involved in the same case,including prominent PTI figure Umar Sarfaraz Cheema, Sanam Javed, FarzanaSarwar, and Nadeem Asghar. This hearing is set to take place on September12, 2023.
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The backdrop to these legal proceedings involves the widespread publicoutcry and protests that erupted following the arrest of former PrimeMinister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan by Rangers personnel in Islamabad onMay 9, 2023. These events have brought attention to the legal complexitiessurrounding the alleged acts of violence and destruction tied to this case
