LAHORE, PAKISTAN: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Azam Swati in several cases linked to the May 9 violent protests, which erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The proceedings were presided over by Duty Judge Arshad Javed, who reviewed the ongoing bail petitions. Qureshi, currently in custody, could not be produced in court, with officials submitting his jail warrant and related documents. The judge extended his bail until October 31, directing further arguments to be presented in the next hearing.
The court also extended bail for Asad Umar and Azam Swati, both facing multiple cases tied to the alleged attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower. Umar appeared before the court in person, while Swati’s counsel requested exemption from appearance due to health reasons — which the court granted.
Legal analysts view these extensions as a temporary reprieve for the PTI leaders, who continue to face a web of terrorism and incitement-related charges from the May 9 unrest. The Lahore High Court had earlier restored Qureshi’s bail pleas after they were dismissed when he was taken into custody, sending the cases back to the ATC for reconsideration.
The May 9 incidents, which saw widespread protests and vandalism following Imran Khan’s arrest, remain one of the most politically charged chapters in Pakistan’s recent history. The ongoing cases against PTI’s top brass continue to test the country’s political and judicial equilibrium, as the party accuses authorities of political victimization while the state insists on accountability for violence.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.