LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) announced on Saturday that it will commence jail trials for four cases related to the torching of police vehicles during the May 9 riots starting next week. Judge Khalid Arshad assured that the shift to jail trials would not compromise the delivery of justice.
During the hearing, PTI social media activist Ayesha Ali Bhutto and former MNA Rubina appeared before the court. The judge issued bailable arrest warrants for suspects who failed to attend the hearing despite being on bail.
Incarcerated PTI leaders, including Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, were not brought to the court from jail. Defense lawyers raised concerns about the fairness of jail trials, but Judge Arshad reassured them, stating, “Decisions are made with fairness and justice.” He emphasized that innocent people should not fear the location of the trial, noting that trials could be held anywhere, including mosques and parks, to ensure security.
The judge directed the prosecution to ensure the suspects’ presence at the next hearing on June 6 at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
In related proceedings, the ATC issued bailable arrest warrants for the investigating officers (IOs) and the SHOs for failing to present records of the May 9 cases in bail petitions of PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Senator Ijaz Chaudhry. Judge Arshad instructed a special prosecutor to ensure the appearance of the police officials with the case records on June 4.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s bail petitions relate to five cases from the May 9 riots, including the Askari Tower incident. Senator Ijaz Chaudhry is seeking bail in eight cases, including attacks on Jinnah House, Shadman police station, and Askari Tower.