LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday cancelled the pre-arrest bail of PTI former secretary general Asad Umar in one case of May 9 riots, however,extended the same to him and former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters Uzma Khan and Aleema Khan in other cases.

Judge AbherGul Khan observed that the trial in Askari Tower attack case had been commenced, therefore, exemption from personal appearance could not be granted to the suspect.

A lawyer filed an application on behalf of Mr Umar seeking a one-time exemption from personal appearance in the bail proceedings of seven May 9 cases against him.

The judge allowed the application in six cases, however, dismissed in one wherein trial had been started. The sisters of the PTI chairman appeared before the court.

The judge extended theirbail till Jan 9.

The bail petitions were filed in cases, including attack on the Jinnah House, Askari Tower in Gulberg, torching of PML-N offices in Model Town and a container near Kalma Chowk.

Separately, Judge Arshad Javed extended the pre-arrest bail of Zain Qureshi, son of PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in the Jinnah House attack case.

Mr Qureshi appeared before the court along with his counsel.

The judge extended his bail till Jan 9.

REMAND: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday extended the judicial remand of PTI Punjab PresidentDr Yasmin Rashid, former provincialminister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid and Senator Ijaz Chaudhry in Shadman police attack case. The court directed the police to present the PTI leaders again on Dec 23.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2023