A district and sessions court in Islamabad has rejected the bail pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Qaiser, and Asad Umar in cases related to the May 9 riots which erupted following arrest of Imran Khan in a corruption case.
Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Supra pronounced the verdict, dismissing their bail petitions.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar had filed for bail in a case lodged against them at Tarnol Police Station, while Asad Qaiser sought bail in a case registered against him at Sangjani Police Station.
The PTI leaders arrived at the court separately.
Qureshi and Umar stood at the courtroom’s doorstep to hear the verdicts, hoping to avoid arrest. Upon the rejection of their bail pleas, they quickly made their way to the same vehicle and managed to escape from the scene.
In contrast, Asad Qaiser left the courtroom just moments before the judge announced the reserved verdict.
The May 9 riots were triggered by the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The violent protests resulted in the torching of state installations across the country, causing mass unrest and prompting several PTI leaders to flee the former ruling party.
The protests lasted for almost three days, claiming the lives of at least eight individuals and injuring dozens more. To restore law and order, the government suspended internet services and deployed army troops.
Following the widespread attacks on defense and public properties, a crackdown was initiated against the PTI to apprehend those involved in the vandalism. The civil-military leadership expressed its determination to try the rioters under the relevant laws, including the Army Act.
Shortly after his release from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Asad Umar resigned from his party positions on May 24, citing the current situation as the reason. However, the status of Asad Qaiser’s association with the party remains unclear, as there has been confusion surrounding his resignation after former PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Pervez Khattak announced his decision to quit party positions due to the May 9 mayhem. As of now, Qaiser has stated that he is still in contact with the party chairman and stands with the party.
Following the court’s decision, dramatic scenes unfolded as all three PTI leaders swiftly left the courtroom.
