Lahore ATC on Saturday granted post-arrest bail to PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi in May 9 riots case involving arson and public property siege.
After the conclusion of the arguments from both sides, ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the verdict, which he had reserved the day before.
After PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested last year, the former foreign minister was accused of inciting violence and participating in attacks on public infrastructure in the case, which was filed at the Shadman Police Station.
Qureshi’s attorney argued that there was no concrete evidence connecting his client to the vandalism and that the accusations were politically motivated.
However, the prosecution insisted that Qureshi had used speeches and orders to incite supporters.
After examining the arguments and case file, the court granted the bail request and ordered the former minister to provide surety bonds.
In a separate case filed at the Karachi Company Police Station on May 9, a local court in Islamabad cleared PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub, Ali Nawaz Awan, and Shoaib Shaheen.
The prosecution had not proven any evidence that directly implicated the accused, the court decided.
Numerous PTI leaders are being charged with anti-terrorism and public disorder in connection with the May 9 violence, which broke out following the former prime minister’s arrest and caused widespread unrest. Many of those cases are still pending trial in different jurisdictions.
