LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Friday allowed post-arrest bail petitions of incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan in four cases of the May 9 riots registered in the provincial metropolis.

Judge Arshad Javed announced the decision after Prosecutor General of Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah concluded his arguments against the petitions of the former premier.

The petitions sought bail in four cases including burning the PML-N office in Model Town, a container near Kalma Chowk, police vehicles in Gulberg, and violence at Sher Pao Bridge during the riots.

The prosecutor argued that the PTI founding chairman crafted a narrative of resorting to violence in case of his arrest.

He said the PTI leadership and workers attacked sensitive installations following the instructions of their party’s former head.

“With due respect, I seek dismissal of the bail pleas,” Mr Shah asked the court.

Barrister Salman Safdar had already completed his arguments on behalf of Imran Khan.

However, an associate of Barrister Safdar sought permission from the court to advance more arguments, saying the prosecution presented arguments contrary to the facts.

He requested the court to defer the decision for one hearing.

“We have a new point on which we need to present arguments,” added the lawyer.

However, judge Javed observed that the lead counsel had already concluded his detailed arguments.

The judge announced the decision, allowing the bail petitions of Imran Khan in four cases.

Separately, ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill gave one last opportunity to the counsel of the former premier to complete arguments in post-arrest bail petitions in eight other cases of May 9 riots including an attack on the corps commander’s residence.

An associate of Barrister Safdar told the court that the lead counsel was not available due to his schedule before the Islamabad High Court. The judge observed that the petitions were pending for several months.

The judge said a decision would be announced in light of the record of the cases if the petitioner’s counsel does not appear at the next hearing.

The judge adjourned the hearing till Nov 30.

Other cases include attacks on Askari Tower and Shadman police station.

These post-arrest bail petitions have been filed after the Lahore High Court on July 25 quashed physical remand of the former premier in 12 cases.

JIT REPORT: A special prosecutor on Friday told an anti-terrorism court (ATC) that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) found former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and two sisters of incarcerated Imran Khan guilty of multiple charges in cases of May 9 riots.

The prosecutor also submitted a report of the JIT before the court during the hearing of pre-arrest bail petitions of the PTI leaders in cases of burning PML-N office, a container at Kalma Chowk and police vehicles in Gulberg.

Fawad Chaudhry appeared before the court on expiry of his interim bail, however, a lawyer for Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan sought a one-time exemption from personal appearance for them.

The prosecutor stated that the suspects fall into two groups -- those who were present at the scene and those who planned the incidents.

The defense counsel said the arguments on the bail petitions should be scheduled on different dates according to the bifurcation of the allegations.

They also sought an adjournment for presenting their arguments on the petitions.

Judge Arshad Javed postponed the hearing till Dec 7 and also extended the pre-arrest bail of Fawad, Aleema and Uzma.

The judge also extended the bail of Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub and former federal minister Asad Umar, who did not appear before the court.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024