An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday granted post-arrest bail to senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in a case pertaining to the May 9 riots, including arson and the siege of public property.
The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul, who had reserved the decision a day earlier following the conclusion of arguments from both sides.
The case, registered at the Shadman Police Station, accused the former foreign minister of inciting violence and involvement in attacks on public infrastructure following the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan last year.
Qureshi’s counsel contended that the allegations were politically motivated and that there was no direct evidence linking his client to the acts of vandalism. The prosecution, however, maintained that Qureshi had incited supporters through speeches and directives.
The court, after reviewing the case record and arguments, accepted the bail plea, directing the former minister to submit surety bonds.
Separately, a local court in Islamabad acquitted PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub, Ali Nawaz Awan and Shoaib Shaheen in another May 9-related case registered at the Karachi Company Police Station.
The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish any evidence directly implicating the accused.
The May 9 violence, which erupted after the arrest of the former prime minister, led to widespread unrest, with several PTI leaders facing legal action under anti-terrorism and public disorder charges. Many of those cases are still under trial across various jurisdictions.
