LAHORE; An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Friday dismissed the bail petitions of PTI leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmood ur Rashid in the May 9 riots and arson case.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill announced the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
During the proceedings, the petitioners contended that the police had lodged the case against them on baseless grounds. They argued they had no role in the siege and arson incidents and had been behind bars since their arrest. They requested the court to grant them bail, maintaining their innocence.
However, the prosecution firmly opposed the bail requests, asserting that investigations had established the involvement of the accused in the violence. The prosecution urged the court to reject the bail applications, citing sufficient evidence tying them to the offenses.
After reviewing the case record and arguments, the court rejected the bail pleas of the three prominent PTI figures — former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and senior party leader Mian Mehmood ur Rashid.
The case against the PTI leaders had been registered at Sarwar Road police station. The charges relate to the violent protests that erupted on May 9 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, during which government buildings and military installations were attacked and set ablaze.
With the dismissal of their bail applications, the PTI leaders will remain in custody as the legal proceedings continue.
