LAHORE: A state prosecutor on Saturday said in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) that the attack on the Jinnah House, which also serves as the residence of Lahore’s corps commander, was carried out as part of an organised conspiracy.

Special Prosecutor Rao Abdul Jabbar argued that the attack on the Jinnah House on May 9 was a serious crime.

He concluded his arguments against the bail petitions of several leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the Jinnah House attack case.

The petitioners include Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed.

He said everyone present during the attack on Jinnah House, those who chanted slogans, created an environment of arson, and assisted in any way were also guilty. He said the leaders who incited arson via phone or social media should be punished.

The prosecutor also drew a comparison to the 9/11 attacks in the US, stating that everyone involved in the planning, execution, and aiding of the World Trade Center attack was punished.

He explained that in a bank robbery, those who assist, provide information, break locks, or help the robbers flee are punished.

He said even a person sitting in the prime minister’s house can be part of a conspiracy.

Prosecutor Jabbar asked the court to dismiss the bail petitions of the suspects.

After the prosecutor concluded his arguments, Judge Khalid Arshad adjourned the hearing till June 20.

Sarwar Road police had registered a case against leaders and workers of PTI for attacking and vandalising the corps commander house of Lahore on May 9 last year in protest against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024