An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Saturday extended pre-arrest bail of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s former secretary general Asad Umar and ex-premier Imran Khan’s sisters — Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan — in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots.

The nominated suspects made an appearance before the Lahore ATC. However, Umar was slated to attend hearings at two different ATCs. While one of these granted him bail in the Jinnah House case, the other denied his pre-arrest bail plea in the Askari Tower attack case, citing his failure to appear before the court. The ex-minister did not appear before any of the courts today.

The bail petitions were filed in cases including attacks on the Jinnah House, which also serves as the residence of Lahore`s corps commander, Askari Tower in Gulberg, torching of PML-N offices in Model Town and a container near Kalma Chowk during the May 9 violence.

The PTI founder’s arrest on May 9 in the Al Qadir Trust case had resulted in widespread violence and saw important military installations come under attack, based on which the state had launched a severe crackdown against his party.

Sarwar Road police had registered the case of the attack on Jinnah House, which also serves as the residence of Lahore’s corps commander, following the property’s vandalism during the riots.

In August, both Aleema and Uzma had appeared before the joint investigation team (JIT) to join the probe into the attacks on the military installations.

In the latest development, ATC Judge Arshad Javed heard the pleas filed by Imran’s sisters and others in connection to Jinnah House attack case today.

The judge instructed all suspects to appear before the JIT on Monday at 4 pm.

The investigation officer informed the court that the inquiry in the case had not been concluded.

After considering the arguments, the court granted pre-arrest bail to the suspects until January 9.

Asad Umar’s bail rejected in Askari Tower attack case

Separately, another ATC heard the May 9 riots case against Umar. Judge Abher Gul turned down Umar’s plea seeking exemption from hearing on the day and cancelled his pre-arrest bail in the case.

Last month, Umar, who had resigned as the PTI’s secretary general in May, resigned from the party’s basic membership as well as quit politics.

In a post on X, he wrote, “After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.

“I am resigning from [the] basic membership of PTI,” Umar, who once was a close aide of ex-premier Imran, had stated.

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....