An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the federal capital has ordered that leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) not be arrested until May 21.
ATC Islamabad Judge Abu-al-Hasanat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the cases registered against the leaders of PTI in connection with the November 26 protest, the Sangjani rally and the demonstrations held outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
In the process of the hearing, PTI leaders, including Umair Niazi, Raoof Hasan and Azam Swati, along with other accused, appeared before the court.
The court extended over 230 pre-arrest bails granted to PTI leaders and ordered authorities not to arrest them till May 21.
The judge also ordered the two parties to provide final arguments at the following hearing.
It is worth mentioning that multiple cases have been registered against the PTI leaders at different police stations in Islamabad, including Tarnol, Ramna, Aabpara and Secretariat.
May 9: PTI leaders sentenced to 10 years in GOR gate attack case
Earlier, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf leaders (PTI) were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the May 9 GOR Gate attack case. While Shah Mehmood Qureshi had been acquitted in the same case.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill announced the decision at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
The court sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry to ten years in prison.
The court handed down a ten-year prison term to Mehmoodur Rasheed as well. However, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted in the case.
The court ordered the arrest and production of four proclaimed offenders, Farooq Anjum, Habib Ahmed, Arsalan, and Akbar Khan.
The judge had reserved the verdict after completing the trial proceedings.
During the trial, the prosecution recorded statements of 56 witnesses.
A total of 25 accused were nominated in the case, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Mehmoodur Rasheed.
The challan of all 25 accused was submitted before the court.
Race Course police registered the case over the attack at Club Chowk GOR Gate.
According to the FIR, the accused vandalised security cameras at Club Chowk GOR Gate.
The FIR stated that police wireless sets and glass panels at GOR Gate were also damaged. It added that government property was damaged and police personnel were attacked.
PTI leaders are accused of inciting workers to violence, riots, and rebellion on May 9.
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