The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in two major cases related to the violent incidents of May 9 — the Rahat Bakery arson and the Shadman police station burning and siege.
However, the court sentenced former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Ayesha Bhutta to 10 years in prison each in both cases.
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Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were handed five-year prison terms each.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the verdict after completing the trial inside Kot Lakhpat Jail. The hearing took place on Saturday, where the court reserved its decision following the final arguments from the lawyers. The trials were conducted within the jail premises under security measures.
During the proceedings, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and other accused were present in court.
According to the judgement, 25 individuals were on trial in the Shadman police station arson and siege case. Out of them, 12 have been acquitted, including Sadia, Taslim, Abrar Amjad, Faisal, and Jamil.
Hafiz Arshad, the security guard of PTI Founder Imran Khan, was also sentenced to 10 years in prison.
