Lahore ATC holds jail trial of PTI leaders in May 9 Gulberg riots case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore conducted a hearing in the May 9 riots case at Kot Lakhpat Jail, the 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday. 

The ATC judge, Arshad Javed, presided over the in-camera proceedings. 

According to court details, prosecution witnesses, including officials from the FIA Islamabad, PEMRA, and investigating officers, appeared in court for cross-examination. 

However, lead defense counsel advocate Burhan Moazzam Malik, who is representing political leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Ejaz Chaudhry, was unable to attend due to his engagement in another May 9 trial being heard in a different court.

In his absence, a junior defense lawyer appeared and requested more time to prepare for cross-examination, which the court accepted, adjourning the proceedings until August 5.

Attendance of both under-custody and on-bail accused was recorded. However, two accused—Nayyar Irfan and Altaf Bashir—failed to appear. 

In response, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the absentees and also cancelled their surety bonds.

Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry were presented in court.  Their attendance was formally recorded during the trial.