LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Thursday framed amended charges against former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and other leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in a case of allegedly attacking and burning Shadman police station during May 9 riots.
Other indicted leaders include Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, PTI Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed.
ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing at Kot Lakhpat jail and formally indicted the accused persons, who pleaded not guilty.
At this, the judge summoned prosecution witnesses to record their statements at the next hearing on March 17.
Charges of incitement and setting the police station on fire have been added to the charge sheet.
The prosecution had requested the court to amend the charges, saying the previous charges against the accused had been framed in a vague and complex manner as multiple offences had been clubbed together under one head.
It said any accused at a later stage of the trial can take an undue advantage to secure his/her acquittal in the cases.
The prosecution said the trial in all six cases was at an initial stage and the proposed amendments to the charges will not cause any delay in the trial’s conclusion.
The court had allowed the request of the prosecution.
Separately, the judge summoned prosecution witnesses in another case of alleged vandalism at Sherpao Bridge against the PTI leaders and workers.
Earlier, two prosecution witnesses testified before the court.
The accused out on bail, including former MNA Aaliya Hamza and social media activist Sanam Javed also appeared before the court.
So far, statements of 32 witnesses have been recorded in the case, which was registered at Sarwar Road police station over anti-state speeches and vandalism at Sherpao Bridge during the May 9 riots.
The accused persons have been charged with sedition and inciting public unrest.
The next hearing is fixed for March 20.
Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2025
