A Lahore anti-terrorism court on Monday indicted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the Shadman police station attack case of the May 9 riots.

Countrywide protests erupted on May 9 last year after the paramilitary Rangers whisked away PTI founder Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court in a corruption case.

While the protests were underway, social media was flooded with footage of rioting and vandalism at various spots, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence and General Headquarters, the army’s head of office in Rawalpindi.

Shadman police had registered a case against PTI leaders and activists on charges of attacking and burning the police station during the May 9 riots.

Qureshi in December was implicated in at least 12 different cases registered by the Rawalpindi district police in connection with the May 9 violence. Qureshi was granted bail in 13 cases in February.

The prosecution last week gave a copy of the investigation report to the former foreign minister ahead of his indictment today in the Shadman case.

Anti-Terrorism Court-I Judge Khalid Arshad held a hearing in Kot Lakhpat jail today where the PTI leader was produced.

Qureshi — who is currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail for eight cases related to the violence last year — pleaded not guilty.

Judge Arshad summoned the witnesses for the next hearing and adjourned the hearing till July 18.

Opinion

Editorial

Hardening lines
Updated 22 May, 2026

Hardening lines

Iranian suspicions about Pakistan’s close ties with Washington and Gulf states persist, while Pakistan remains uneasy over Tehran’s growing engagement with India.
Unliveable city
22 May, 2026

Unliveable city

IN Karachi, when it comes to water, it is every man and woman for themselves. A persistent shortage in available...
Glof alert
22 May, 2026

Glof alert

FOR many communities in northern Pakistan, the sound of heavy rain now carries a different meaning. It is no longer...
External woes
Updated 21 May, 2026

External woes

Relying indefinitely on remittances to offset structural economic weaknesses is not sustainable.
Political activity
21 May, 2026

Political activity

THE opposition is astir. There is talk of widespread protests this Friday over a list of dissatisfactions with the...
Seizing hope
21 May, 2026

Seizing hope

ISRAEL’S tyranny knows no bounds. After intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail last week, disturbing...