LAHORE: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub criticised the prosecution on Friday, stating that the entire case against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was based on the statements of three disguised police officials who allegedly overheard a conspiracy regarding the May 9 events during a PTI meeting.

“Everything happening in the country is due to just three police officials,” he said, speaking to the media outside the anti-terrorism courts in Lahore.

Mr Ayub dismissed the cases against PTI leaders and workers as entirely bogus and ridiculous. He highlighted that PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid was ill and that former MNA Aliya Hamza was being implicated in baseless cases.

He also expressed concerns that Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Amir Farooq should not hear the cases involving PTI founding chairman Imran Khan.

Additionally, Ayub criticised President Asif Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for the arrest of PTI workers in Karachi.

Earlier, an anti-terrorism court extended the pre-arrest bail of Ayub and others in connection with three cases related to the May 9 riots until Aug 10.

The court directed the suspects to cooperate with the police investigation before the next hearing and instructed the investigating officer to submit his report.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2024