The Punjab government has filed a petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) decision to release former health minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid in a case related to the attack on Jinnah House.
The government contends that the trial court’s discharge of Dr. Rashid contradicts the facts of the case and seeks to declare the ATC’s order null and void.
According to the petition, the government argued that Dr. Rashid led the mob that attacked Lahore Corps Commander House, also known as Jinnah House.
Previously, Punjab Police Chief Dr. Usman Anwar claimed that Dr. Rashid was a key planner of the attacks on Jinnah House and the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ), which he alleged were well planned by PTI leaders.
The police claimed to have found evidence, including 41 calls made by Dr. Rashid and calls by other party leaders, suggesting their involvement in inciting the mob to attack military installations in Lahore. A forensic analysis report by the department further indicated Dr. Rashid’s presence outside the Corps Commander House during the attack.
Additionally, Dr. Anwar criticized social media influencers associated with the PTI for sharing false reports of female protestors being mistreated in custody.
He cited a total of 215 calls allegedly made to incite the mob and named other PTI leaders, including Hammad Azhar, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Murad Raas, Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Ijaz Chaudhry, who could be involved in the attacks.
Dr. Anwar stated that the police had substantial evidence to take the case to trial and prove the involvement of PTI leaders in the attacks on military installations.
In response to the dissemination of misleading information and a “malicious” campaign to malign the police on social media, Dr. Anwar announced the intention to approach the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) to take action against those responsible. He clarified that several videos shared online purportedly showing police mistreatment and abuse of protestors were actually from previous years.
Additionally, through mobile phone analysis of those in custody, the department traced another 170 suspected attackers through WhatsApp groups and messages.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Hammad Azhar, who had been evading arrest, tweeted that his father, former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, 82, was taken away by the police.
