Latest news with #ShahMahmoodQureshi
Express Tribune
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted, Yasmin Rashid sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case
Listen to article An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has acquitted six Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in connection with the May 9 riots, while sentencing 10 others, including Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, to 10 years in prison on Tuesday. The court delivered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao Bridge. The court, which had completed final arguments from both the defence and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling. The verdict stated that the ATC acquitted Qureshi, Azeem, and four other accused individuals due to insufficient evidence. However, the court found 10 others guilty and handed down 10-year prison sentences for their role in the violence that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The case involves violent protests and damage caused to public and private property, including incidents of arson and vandalism, that erupted on May 9, following the arrest of the former prime minister. Earlier, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, PTI's Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, and other party workers to 10 years in prison each. They were found guilty of involvement in creating law and order disturbances, anarchy, and arson during the May 9 riots, which erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The ATC judge delivered the verdict after hearing detailed arguments and finding that the prosecution had established its case. The defence counsels argued that the accused were not involved in the charges brought against them, claiming that these were politically motivated cases. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ATC rejects bail plea of PTI's Qureshi
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday rejected post-arrest bail pleas of three top PTI leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Umar Sarftaz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Resheed — in a May 9, 2023 rioting case. ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul delivered a decision after hearing arguments from both sides. The case related to arson and rioting outside Lahore's Rahat Bakery and was registered by Sarwar Road Police Station. Qureshi serves as the PTI vice chairman while Cheema and Rasheed respectively served as Punjab governor and provincial minister during the PTI's rule. Meanwhile, a trial court in Islamabad reserved its decision on a plea filed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi seeking acquittal in another May 9 case. Judicial Magistrate Shehzad Khan heard the case at the Islamabad District and Sessions Court. During the proceedings, Qureshi's lawyer, Ali Bukhari, appeared before the court and argued that several co-accused have already been acquitted in the same case. He pointed out that on March 8, 2025, the court had acquitted other individuals involved in the matter. Bukhari maintained that Qureshi was accused of acting on a video message from PTI founder Imran Khan, which allegedly led to acts of vandalism. He requested the court to dismiss the charges against his client on similar grounds as those previously acquitted. Following the arguments, the court reserved its decision on Qureshi's acquittal plea. The case was initially registered at Tarnol Police Station. Separately, the hearing of another case related to the Haqeeqi Azadi March, involving the PTI founder and party workers, could not proceed due to the unavailability of Imran Khan who has been detained at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since September 2023. The court marked the attendance of the other accused and adjourned the proceedings without further developments. Advocate Masroof Khan appeared on behalf of PTI workers during the hearing.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Qureshi gets post arrest bail
LAHORE: An antiterrorism court on Saturday granted post arrest bail to PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Shadman arson case. The court announced its verdict at Kot Lakhpat Jail and ordered Qureshi to submit surety bonds. The case, filed at Shadman Police Station, accused the former foreign minister of inciting violence, arson, and attacks on public property. While the bail marks a legal win for Qureshi, his immediate release remains unlikely, as he faces charges in other ongoing cases related to the May 9 protests. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Hearing of eleven May 9 cases today
The special anti-terrorism court (ATC) will conduct hearing of 11 cases related to violence on May 9, 2023 against 1,279 activists and leaders of the PTI, including party founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, at on Saturday (today). Special ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, will conduct the hearing at the district courts instead of the Adiala Jail. During the hearing, copies of the Challans would be given to those remaining accused, who had not been given such papers. These cases include the GHQ Gate 4 attack case, burning of a sensitive institution's building in Sadar area and burning of the Metro Bus Station.
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Thousands of ID cards, passports blocked over involvement in May 9 riots
Listen to article Passports and national identity cards of thousands of individuals linked to the May 9, 2023, riots have been blocked. More than 5,500 citizens from Lahore and other cities and towns across Punjab have had their passports blacklisted, officials from the Department of Passport and Immigration told local media. The revelation came a day after Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad convicted and sentenced 11 accused to various jail terms and fines in cases related to the violence on May 9, 2023, over charges of attacking the Ramna police station, attacking policemen, setting properties on fire, and spreading terrorism. May 9 cases refer to the violent attacks on state installations in 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan over corruption charges. Several people were arrested in these cases, which were tried and convicted by military courts as well as ATCs in different cities. Read More: 19 convicted in May 9 riots granted pardon Regarding the blocking of passports and national identity cards, sources said names were flagged based on geo-fencing data, which captured mobile or landline numbers detected near protest sites. In many cases, this data alone led to individuals being added to the blacklist, even without direct evidence of involvement. Some of those affected have submitted proof of innocence to police and law enforcement agencies. However, their names remain on the blacklist, prompting hundreds to file legal challenges in court. The Lahore High Court has taken up dozens of such cases and summoned passport officials along with relevant records. In several hearings, officials have submitted documents confirming the blacklisting of passports. Read More: Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid indicted in May 9 riots case During proceedings, it emerged that many individuals worked in nearby government or private offices and had only made calls to family members during the unrest, but were still flagged due to their mobile phone location data. In court filings, the Passport and Immigration Department stated that it does not hold the authority to add or remove names from the blacklist. That power, it said, rests with the Ministry of Interior, which manages both the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL). The ministry has reportedly placed names on the blacklist for any degree of involvement in the May 9 events. Those whose passports have expired cannot renew them until their names are cleared. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. Also Read: Won't allow May 9 mayhem happen again In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalize pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly opposed the trial of civilians in military courts, citing constitutional concerns.
