An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has acquitted PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the May 9 arson and Sherpao Bridge violence case. Along with him, Hamza Azim Paht, Rana Tanveer, and Aizaz Rafiq were also declared not guilty and released by the court.
However, the court sentenced several other senior PTI leaders to ten years in prison. These include Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Azeem Paht. The court announced its reserved verdict today, concluding months of proceedings related to the post-arrest violence on May 9.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar reacted strongly, calling the verdict unfair and politically motivated. Speaking at a press conference, he claimed the sentences were issued without fulfilling legal requirements. He added that such decisions are damaging public trust in the judiciary. Gohar also stressed that trials for the same case should not happen in different locations.
He further noted that three elected PTI parliamentarians, including the opposition leader in Punjab, had been sentenced. He alleged that today’s ruling adds to a long list of controversial court decisions aimed at suppressing PTI leadership and dissent.
On the other hand, PML-N leader Barrister Aqeel Malik defended the court’s verdict. Speaking to Geo News, he stated that justice had been served. He claimed PTI leaders failed to attend hearings or provide legal representation. He added that all legal protocols and evidence were duly presented, and the judgment aligns with the constitution and law.