Qureshi’s bail pleas in May 9 rioting cases deferred until June 24

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday adjourned the hearing of post-arrest bail applications filed by former foreign minister and

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday adjourned the hearing of post-arrest bail applications filed by former foreign minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two cases related to the May 9 riots and arson incidents.

The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill. During the proceedings, Qureshi’s counsel was not present to advance arguments on the bail petitions. A junior lawyer appearing on behalf of the defence requested additional time to prepare and present arguments.

Accepting the request, the court postponed further proceedings until June 24. The judge also directed the prosecution to produce the complete record of the cases at the next hearing.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is currently in custody, has filed post-arrest bail applications in cases concerning the alleged burning of police vehicles near Mughalpura and Jinnah House during the violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023.

According to the prosecution, the cases involve allegations of arson, vandalism and attacks on state property during the unrest that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The incidents led to the registration of multiple criminal cases against several PTI leaders and workers.

Qureshi has sought bail from jail, maintaining his innocence in the cases. The court is expected to examine the prosecution record and hear detailed arguments from both sides at the next hearing before deciding on the bail requests.

It is noteworthy that Shah Mahmood Qureshi has already been acquitted in five separate cases linked to the May 9 violence, while proceedings in several other cases remain pending before different courts.