Lahore ATC orders Qureshi’s release following acquittal in two May 9 cases

LAHORE: Following his acquittal a day earlier, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday ordered the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two May 9 cases.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill, following up on his verdict, issued a mandamus to the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail to release Qureshi if he was not wanted in any other case. The court had reserved its decision late last week after hearing arguments from both sides and announced it on Monday.

The court however, sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and several others to 10 years in prison after finding them involved in the May 9 riots — triggered after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case where several military installations were vandalised by angry mob.

Meanwhile, apart from sentencing Dr Yasmin, Rasheed, Chaudhry and Cheema to 10 years, the court has also ordered seizure of properties of the politicians in relation to their involvement in the case relating to torching of Shadman Police Station. The PTI leaders have also been awarded a fine of Rs600,000 and would face further incarceration in case of its non-payment.