LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to PTI leader Azam Swati in six cases of May 9 riots as he surrendered after almost a year long abscondence.

Swati, who recently secured a protective bail from the Peshawar High Court, appeared before the ATC along with his lawyer.

The counsel told the court that the petitioner wanted to join the police investigation to prove his innocence.

He asked the court to grant bail to the petitioner in six cases, including attack on Jinnah House, Askari Tower, offices of PML-N in Model Town and burning of police vehicles during the May 9 protests.

The court had previously declared Swati a proclaimed offender for his non-appearance in the cases.

Judge Arshad Javed allowed the bail petition and restrained the police from arresting the PTI leader till May 21.

Talking to the reporters, Swati said: “I condemn the May 9 incident.”

He said the former prime minister Imran Khan and his party were not involved in the violence. He said those who conspired for the May 9 riots damaged the country’s economy and dignity.

Swati claimed that no deal would be made.

“When a 76-year-old Swati is not making any deals, neither will the PTI founder,” he maintained.

The PTI leader emphasised that all institutions and their people were respectable.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024