Published on: September 10, 2025 3:52 AM
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while sentencing Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and others to 10 years in prison over yet another May 9 riots case, pertaining to the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House.
Following the arrest of ex-premier Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, from the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) premises, riots erupted across the country and went on for at least 24 hours. Protesters vandalised and torched government buildings and military installations, while also breaking into the residence of the Lahore corps commander. The state subsequently launched a crackdown against him and his party, filing several other cases against Imran and party leaders since the events of May 9.
Sarwar Road Police had registered a case against the PTI leaders on charges of setting police vehicles on fire near Jinnah House (Corps Commander House).
Advocate Rana Mudassar confirmed the development to the media, saying ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill acquitted Qureshi while Rashid, Chaudhry, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema were sentenced to 10 years in prison in the case.
He added that PTI activist and fashion designer Khadijah Shah was also sentenced to five years in prison in the case, adding that a total of 51 accused were involved in the case, with 12 declared absconders and the trial of 39 completed.
The court proceedings come after similar other acquittals for the former diplomat and sentences for the PTI leaders in multiple May 9 cases.
Separately, the district and sessions court on Tuesday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, while hearing the cases, maintained Imran Khan’s bail in six cases and Bushra Bibi’s bail in one case until October 7.
The court also extended the protection order preventing Imran Khan’s arrest in cases related to the May 9 incidents, attempted murder, and protests.
Similarly, Bushra Bibi’s interim bail in the Toshakhana case involving allegations of fake receipts was extended.
During the hearing, no verdict was announced on Bushra Bibi’s bail applications, and arguments on Imran Khan’s petition were not completed.
The court remarked that a joint decision on the bail applications of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi would be issued.
Advocate Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry appeared on behalf of Imran Khan, who faces cases registered at police stations including Tarnol, Karachi Company, Kohsar, among others.
Reacting, Aleema Khan strongly condemned the violence against journalists while speaking to the media near Adiala Road.
She accused certain elements of intentionally provoking and escalating the situation. “When someone is sent intentionally, that is not journalism,” she added, “It was done on purpose to incite people.”
Aleema Khan defended her business interests against allegations, challenging critics to provide evidence. “It is a journalist’s job; if they have proof, they should bring it forward,” she stated, “I am saying my property is from my rightful, lawfully-earned money.”
She dismissed the allegations that the egg-throwing incident was staged. “If I had an egg thrown at me on my own orders, then why did the police take those two women away to protect them?”
“If my sons had come,” she claimed, “they would also have been charged with terrorism. That is exactly why we came here alone today.”
“Whatever Naeem Panjutha did”, she added, “ask Naeem Panjutha”.
