LAHORE: The anti-terrorism courts on Wednesday dismissed for non-prosecution pre-arrest bail of PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar while extending the bail of former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters in cases of May 9 riots and other protests.

ATC-I judge Manzer Ali Gill heard the bail petitions of Mr Umar, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan. However, none of them appeared before the court on expiry of their bail period.

Umar’s lawyers submitted an application seeking a one-time exemption from personal appearance, saying he was unwell and suffering from fever.

However, the judge rejected the request for exemption, observing that the petitioner had been absent from several hearings.

The judge also dismissed the bail petitions of the former finance minister for non-prosecution.

The former minister had sought bail in three cases related to the attack on Jinnah House, the burning of Shadman police station and the attack on Askari Tower during the May 9 riots.

The judge allowed the applications filed on behalf of Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan for one-time exemption from personal appearance.

A lawyer told the court that both sisters were in Rawalpindi for a scheduled meeting with their brother at Adiala jail.

The judge extended the bail of both sisters till March 18 in cases of attacking police during Oct 5 protests.

Separately, ATC-III judge Arshad Javed dismissed the pre-arrest bail petitions of former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in cases related to burning a container near Kalma Chowk and rioting at Sherpao Bridge during May 9 protests.

His lawyers did not appear before the court for arguments.

The judge dismissed the bail petitions, noting that the petitioner’s lawyers had failed to appear at several hearings.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2025