The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore recently extended the bail of Zain Hussain Qureshi, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and two sisters of Imran Khan, the former PTI chief. According to ARY News, the bail extension is related to their involvement in the May 9 riots case.
In connection with the case, ATC Judge Arshad Javed extended the bail of Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, as well as PTI leader Zain Qureshi, until January 9. The court proceedings presided over by ATC administrative judge Abhar Gul Khan, saw all three accused enter not-guilty pleas and choose to fight the charges. The next hearing has been set for December 16th.
Earlier on November 22, the ATC extended the interim bails of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan until December 9. The case, stemming from the May 9 riots, involves charges related to arson and violence.
Notably, an anti-terrorism court had previously initiated proceedings to declare 21 PTI leaders, including Aleema and Uzma, as absconders for their alleged non-cooperation with the investigation in the May 9 cases. The police informed the court that these leaders, despite being aware of their involvement in the cases, did not comply with the investigation and are currently in hiding.
Zain Qureshi, another accused in the case, was also wanted by the police in connection with the May 9 riots that followed the arrest of Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case at the Islamabad High Court. The protests had escalated into widespread unrest across Pakistan, prompting the authorities to call in the armed forces to maintain law and order.
The next court hearing on December 16 will likely shed more light on the case as the accused challenge the charges and witnesses are summoned to provide their statements. The situation remains dynamic, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks.