LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Friday deferred the indictment of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other PTI leaders in five cases related to May 9 riots.

ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed heard five cases, including the burning of the PML-N office and violence at Sherpao Bridge.

The court was scheduled to frame charges in these cases, but the indictment could not proceed due to the absence of some suspects.

PTI leaders, including Mr Qureshi, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and party’s Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, were presented before the court.

Suspects released on bail including PTI social media activist Sanam Javed also appeared before the court.

The judge delayed the indictment in the cases till the second week of January, instructing the prosecution to ensure the presence of all suspects on the next hearing.

Hearing of two cases was adjourned till Jan 15 while in three cases till Jan 16.

Mr Qureshi and other PTI leaders have already been indicted in multiple cases of May 9 riots.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2025