On Tuesday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore decided to extend theinterim bail of several individuals, including PTI leader Asad Umar and twosisters of party chairman Imran Khan, until October 4. These cases arerelated 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 militaryinstallations. This led to a significant government crackdown on his party.
While Imran Khan was released a few days later (although he was rearrestedlater on a separate case), many PTI workers and high-ranking leaders weredetained, and some are still facing serious charges in court. Last month, aLahore ATC allowed the police to re-question several PTI leaders andactivists in various cases related to the May 9 riots.
New charges of mutiny and waging a war against the state were added to theFIRs. Previously, on September 2, a Lahore ATC had extended the pre-arrestbail of Umar, Imran’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan until September 19in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots.
The bail extensions came with instructions for them to cooperate with theinvestigation. Umar had been discharged in five out of seven cases againsthim, 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 PTIsecretary general and other suspects attended and marked their presence.
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The court requested the complete investigation record from the police. WhenAleema addressed the court, she denied involvement in the vandalism atJinnah House, one of the military sites targeted on May 9, yet she wasimplicated in the case.
She emphasized their pursuit of justice, and as a result, the ATC decidedto extend the interim bail until October 4 and called for further argumentsfrom the lawyers in the upcoming hearing.
