The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday adjourned the post-arrest bail hearings of former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema and senior PTI leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid in connection with multiple cases linked to the May 9 violence, including the attacks on Jinnah House and police vehicles.
ATC Administrative Judge Manzar Ali Gul presided over the hearings held at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where jail trial proceedings are underway in several cases stemming from the riots.
Cheema’s post-arrest bail applications were taken up in four separate cases, including the Shadman police station arson incident and cases related to attacks on police and vehicles near Zaman Park and Jinnah House.
His lawyer, Hassan Yousuf Shah, appeared before the court. However, the prosecution sought time, stating that case records had been sent to Adiala Jail, where the investigation into the PTI founder is also ongoing. The court adjourned the hearing till June 11, summoning both case records and final arguments at the next hearing.
Similarly, Dr. Yasmin Rashid appeared for the hearing of her bail applications in two cases, also related to the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House and in other areas including Zaman Park and Mughalpura.
The prosecution again requested more time, stating that investigation officers are currently at Adiala Jail with the case files. The court adjourned the proceedings till June 11, also calling for arguments from the defense counsel and submission of complete records.
The court also continued jail trial proceedings in four key cases, including those related to the Shadman Police Station arson incident. During the session, six prosecution witnesses recorded their statements, and the court summoned more witnesses for the next hearing.
Notably, the Supreme Court has directed lower courts to expedite decisions in the May 9 cases, which include high-profile accused such as Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, who were present at the hearing.