LAHORE: An antiterrorism court on Saturday issued a notice to the prosecution on a post-arrest bail petition of former federal minister Hammad Azhar in the Jinnah House attack case of May 9 riots.

Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi appeared before the court and presented his initial arguments on behalf of the petitioner.

The counsel argued that the only allegation against the petitioner was criminal conspiracy.

He pointed out that the FIR alleged that over a thousand armed workers marched towards Jinnah House, vandalised the property and attacked police. It claims the petitioner was among the leaders who directed workers to target government and military buildings.

The counsel argued that the FIR was registered after an unexplained seven-hour delay and that the prosecution’s own story shows that the petitioner was not present at the scene.

He said the conspiracy allegation rests solely on two police witnesses, whose statements cannot be relied on without trial evidence.

He said no independent witness had been cited by the prosecution and that the complainant, a serving police officer, registered the case at the behest of the ruling party to politically victimise the petitioner.

He stated that the investigation was complete, the trial had not begun and there was no apprehension of tampering with evidence or absconding.

He pointed out that the petitioner was arrested on Sept 7, 2026, remanded in police custody for 50 days and sent to judicial lockup on Oct 27.

After hearing the arguments, the court issued a notice to the prosecution for submission of a reply by Nov 3.

Separately, the court adjourned till Nov 7 a post-arrest bail petition of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a case of May 9 riots for non-availability of the police record.

The court directed the police to ensure production of record at the next hearing without fail.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2026