An anti-terrorism court of Lahore on Tuesday indicted key Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and former MPA Rubina Jamil.
The charges stemmed from their alleged involvement in the vandalism of police vehicles and assault on law enforcement during the aftermath of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Imran Khan’s arrest had triggered widespread violence, leading to attacks on crucial military installations. Subsequently, the state launched a severe crackdown against the PTI, resulting in the apprehension of numerous party members and top-tier leadership, many of whom are still facing serious charges in court.
In August, the police escalated the charges by adding new offenses under sections 121, 131, and 146 of the Pakistan Penal Code, including accusations of attempting to wage war against Pakistan, abetting mutiny, and rioting.
The FIRs also encompassed incidents such as attacks on the Corps Commander House, Askari Tower, Shadman police station, and the torching of PML-N party offices in Model Town on May 9.
Joint investigation teams identified over 900 suspects, including the former premier and other prominent figures like Yasmin Rashid, in a dozen cases related to the May 9 violence.
Recently, the Lahore High Court directed the Punjab Home Department to ensure better jail conditions for Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, citing health reasons. Simultaneously, the Punjab police initiated a renewed crackdown on PTI activists across the country, leading to several arrests.
In a related development, a Lahore ATC extended the judicial remand of Rubina Jamil, who had previously been granted post-arrest bail by the LHC in a case involving an alleged attack on the security squad of a sitting Supreme Court judge during the May 9 riots.
Notably, Yasmin Rashid and Omar Sarfaraz Cheema were arrested on a fresh FIR related to an attack on the Prime Minister’s House in Lahore. The ATC, however, rejected the police’s request for Rashid’s physical remand and placed her on judicial remand.
During the latest court hearing presided over by Judge Abhar Gul, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. The ATC has scheduled the testimony of witnesses in the case for December 16.
