LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday indicted 254 suspects, including the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in the Jinnah House attack case of May 9 riots.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill conducted the hearing at Kot Lakhpat jail.

PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed among other incarcerated suspects were presented before a makeshift court established at the jail.

Several suspects out on bail, including former MNAs Aliya Hamza Malik and Rubina Jamil, and fashion designer Khadija Shah also appeared before the court. All suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges and opted to contest the charges against them.

The judge summoned the prosecution witnesses to formally start the trial and adjourned the hearing till May 31. In the case, ten suspects had been declared absconders while two others had passed away.

Sarwar Road police had registered an FIR number 96 against PTI leaders and workers. They had been charged for attacking and vandalising the Jinnah House, which also served as the residence of corps commander.

The May 9 protests erupted after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in a graft case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from the Islamabad High Court.

Besides terrorism charges under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, various offences including waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan, abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier from his duty and rioting were added in the FIR.

BAIL: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted the prosecution more time to present record in two cases of May 9 riots against PTI Punjab President Dr Yasmin Rashid in which she sought post-arrest bail.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill heard the bail petitions of Dr Yasmin. During the hearing, a prosecutor sought more time, stating that the investigating officer had taken the case record to Adiala Jail and was currently unavailable.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2025