Big relief for PTI Chairman Imran Khan
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On Tuesday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore decided to extend the interim bail of several individuals, including PTI leader Asad Umar and two sisters of party chairman Imran Khan, until October 4. These cases are related to the violent incidents that occurred on May 9.
The arrest of Imran Khan on May 9, linked to the Al-Qadir Trust case, resulted in widespread violence and even attacks on important military installations. This led to a significant government crackdown on his party.
While Imran Khan was released a few days later (although he was rearrested later on a separate case), many PTI workers and high-ranking leaders were detained, and some are still facing serious charges in court. Last month, a Lahore ATC allowed the police to re-question several PTI leaders and activists in various cases related to the May 9 riots.
New charges of mutiny and waging a war against the state were added to the FIRs. Previously, on September 2, a Lahore ATC had extended the pre-arrest bail of Umar, Imran's sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan until September 19 in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots.
The bail extensions came with instructions for them to cooperate with the investigation. Umar had been discharged in five out of seven cases against him, but his bail in the remaining two cases was also extended until today. During the recent hearing presided over by ATC Judge Abhar Gul, former PTI secretary general and other suspects attended and marked their presence.
The court requested the complete investigation record from the police. When Aleema addressed the court, she denied involvement in the vandalism at Jinnah House, one of the military sites targeted on May 9, yet she was implicated in the case.
She emphasized their pursuit of justice, and as a result, the ATC decided to extend the interim bail until October 4 and called for further arguments from the lawyers in the upcoming hearing.
