LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Friday indicted 31 suspects, including four PTI leaders, in two cases related to the burning of the PML-N office in Model Town during May 9 riots.

Judge Arshad Javed of the ATC-III presided over the hearings of the cases, wherein ex-governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, ex-minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former minister Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and 27 other accused were charged.

The PTI leaders and workers pleaded not guilty to the charges and the judge sum­moned prosecution witnesses for Feb 20.

The judge ordered that further trial proceedings will be held inside Kot Lakhpat jail.

These PTI leaders have already been indicted in several cases of May 9 riots including attacks on Shadman police station and Askari Tower, Gulberg.

Separately, ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill granted more time to the lawyer of PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi to present arguments in bail petitions in six cases related to May 9 riots.

A lawyer of Mr Qureshi appeared before the court and sought more time for the arguments, citing the unavailability of the lead counsel.

The judge accepted the request and directed him that arguments be presented at the next hearing.

Mr Qureshi filed bail petitions in six cases including those related to torching of police vehicles near Jinnah House and attacking Shadman police station.

Judge Gill also extended pre-arrest bail of PTI leaders Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and her husband Jamshed Iqbal Cheema till March 4 in Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks related to May 9 violence.

The couple appeared before the court on the expiry of their bail period.

A police official informed the court that the investigation had been completed and that both suspects were still wanted for arrest.

The defence lawyers sought more time to present arguments, which the judge accepted and adjourned the hearing.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025