An anti-terrorism court has declared several leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) proclaimed offenders (POs) in three cases related to the May 9 riots.
The decision was made by Judge Abher Gul Khan in response to separate applications filed by the investigating officers (IOs) of the cases.
The IOs reported that despite strenuous efforts, the suspects, fearing arrest, had gone into hiding, making their apprehension challenging. Non-bailable arrest warrants had previously been issued against them, but the suspects failed to surrender to the law, prompting the police to request the court to declare them POs.
Those declared POs in two cases of torching police vehicles near Jinnah House and Sher Pao Bridge are Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Farrukh Habib, Azam Swati, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hamid Raza, Karamat Khokhar, Khalid Gujjar, Sajjad Ahmad and Zubair Khan Niazi.
In the third case, which pertains to burning the PML-N office in Model Town, Fawad Chaudhry, Hammad Azhar, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and his wife Musarrat Cheema, Zubair Khan Niazi, Ghulam Abbas, Farhat Abbas and Hamid Raza had been declared POs.
The judge also directed the IOs to submit details regarding moveable and immovable assets of the suspects so that proceedings for the attachment of their properties under section 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) could be started.
It is noteworthy that several of these PTI leaders have already been declared POs in other cases related to the May 9 protests, including the attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower.
Hamza Shehbaz wants an exemption
In a separate legal development, an accountability court issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on an application submitted by former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz. Hamza sought permanent exemption from personal appearance in the trial proceedings of the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference.
Appearing before the court with his lawyer, Hamza Shehbaz’s application prompted the court to direct a NAB prosecutor to submit a reply by January 12. The NAB had reopened the reference, initially closed under defunct amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, following a Supreme Court decision that struck down those amendments.
In the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference, NAB alleged that Shehbaz Sharif, then chief minister, and his son Hamza, in abetment and connivance, caused a loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer by misusing their authority. The allegations revolve around the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily for the use of Ramzan Sugar Mills owned by Hamza and his brother Suleman.
Anchorperson Mansoor Ali Khan has recently revealed details about what incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) women leaders do in jail.
Talking on a vlog published on his YouTube channel on November 22 titled “In the line of interviews: Who is next? | Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s message to Mansoor Ali Khan from jail”, he explained that he got a call from a woman who said that she wants to deliver Dr. Yasmeen Rashid’s message to him.
According to him, Yasmeen, PTI Central Punjab’s President, is taking care of other PTI-related women incarcerated in Central Jail Lahore.
Interestingly, they play Scrabble to pass their time in jail.
He further revealed that Dr. Yasmeen Rashid is doing well and feels healthy.
The Lahore police registered a case against the PTI leader for allegedly setting vehicles on fire on May 9, the day the PTI chairman was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Mansoor Ali Khan stated during his vlog that Yasmeen Rashid will not only contest the election against Nawaz Sharif but Shehbaz Sharif too.
Previously, she contested the election from National Assembly (NA) 130 which is the same constituency as Nawaz but this time she intends to be a contestant in NA 132 which is Shehbaz’s constituency.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has yet to finalise the delimitation process but these are the areas that fell under NA 130 and NA 132.
NA 130
3-4 Gulberg F.F.C A.B.C.Q Block flates , Model town extention A-3 gulberg 3 Abu Bakr Block, New Garden Town Abu Bakr Street Shah Kamal Road Achra Baba Azam Chowk Aebak block new garden town Ahata Mol chand Feroz pur road ichra Ahata Mol Chand Ichra Ahmed Block, New Garden Town Akram Park Guromangat Akram Park Guromangat 3 Alhamd colony Alhamd Colony Allama Iqbal Town Ali Block New Garden Town Ali Park new samanbad Allama Iqbal Block Town Ravi Block Anayat colony , L block ANC Model Town A-one Nabi Pura gulberg 3 A-one Nabi Pura gulberg 4 Asif Block Allah Iqbal Town Askari 5, Flates Gulberg- 3 Askari Gulberg 3 Askari housing complex Gulberg 3 Askari-5, Gulberg 3 Ataturk Block, New Garden Town Atiq Street Shah Kamal Road A-Two Ghalib Market gulberg 3 Aurangzeb Block, New Garden Town Aurangzeb Block, Tariq Block New Garden Town Avenue civil Services academy Azeez park Ichra B-1 Gulberg 3 B-2 Audit Colony gulberg B-2 Gulberg 3 B-3 Gulberg 3 Babar Block, New Garden Town Baddar Block Allama Iqbal town Bahar Colony No.2 kot Lakhpat Bank Colony Bhabra Gulberg 3 Bhatti colony link road Moon street B-J-K Block Gulberg 3 Bloc k Model Town Block A Faisal Town Block B Faisal Town Block B-2 Gulberg Block C Faisal Town Block C-E gulberg 3 Block C-E Gulberg-3 Block D Faisal Town Block D New Muslim Town Block L Model Town Extension Block N LDA Flat Model Town Block N model town Block P Model Town Bukhari Market Rehmanpur Busti Allah Hoo Gulberg- C Block Model Town C Block New Muslim C-1, C-2, gulberg 3 Canal Park Canal Park Gulberg, 2 Canal Park, Ahata Bashi Ram Canal Park, Gulberg colony, D. Block Chah Mughal Chakian Ichra Chaudhary colony Samanabad Chaudhary colony samanbad Chenab Block Allama Iqbal Town Clifton Colony Cristian colony , Khan colony gulberg-3 D Blcok Model town D block Model Town D Block safdar Market Model Town Dohata Colony Ichra Dohata Colony Muhammad Ali road ichra E Block Model Ton E Block Model town E Block Model town, K Block Edin Villas, Q Block Model town F.C college Ferozpur road F.C college Kachi Abadi Falcon Colony Falcon Colony Gulberg 3 Fazila Colony Ichra Fazila Colony Shah Jamal Feroz Pur Road ichra Flate Block GOR-2 Model Town G,H Block Model town Garden Block, Ali Block Garden Block, Garden Town Ghazali Khushnama Flate Block GOR-2 Model Town Ghazali Park Ghos Azam Colony Gulberg-2 Gopal Nager GOR 3 SHADMAN Gulab Devi Hospital , Civil Eveation Quarters Gulberg 3, Block No4 Gulberg Block G,H Gulshan Block Allama Iqbal town Hafeez center Halli road Hameed Ali park Hameed park Hassanine Street Ashiqabad Hinray Kay gulber3 Hinza Block Allama block town Huma Block Allama Iqbal town Ichara Main Bazar Ichra Marbel Market, Muneer Shaheed Road Ichra Mata Rani Ichra Millat park Ichra sultan Ahmed Road Rehman pura Shah Jamal Chowk Ichra Sultan Ahmed Road Zaildar Road Shah Din Scheme Islam abad colony paki thathi Ithaad Colony Ithaad colony gulberg 3 Ithaad Colony Ichra J Block Model Tonw Jail road Shadman Market Jamia Asharfia / Asharfia Park J-Block gulberg 3 Jevan Hana Garden Town Jinnah Park Gulberg-2 Kacha Ferozpur Road Kachi Abadi F. C Collge Gulberg 3 Kachi Abadi Shah Jamal Kamboh Street Ichra Kamran Block Allama block town Karamabad Rehmanpur Karim Block Allama Iqbal Town Kashmir Blcok Allama Iqbal Block Khan colony Q Block Kothy Pind Faisal Town Kousar colony, Model Town L Block , Kalma Chowk L, J, K Wahdat Colony Lala Zar Colony LDA Flat Model Town Link Road Model Town M Block , Bulberg 3 , Bhabra M block , Gublerg 3 M Block , Gulberg Ferozpur road M. Block Wahidat M. Block Wahidat Colony M.M Alam Road Gulberg-3 Main Bazar Gopal Nagar gulberg 3 Main Bazar ichra Madina Bazar Main Bazar Zaildar Road Ichra Main Bluavard Gulberg- 2, P-Block Main Bluavard Gulberg-2, P-Block Main Gulberg Makkah colony , gulberg Makkah Colony block-1-Gulberg 3 Makkah Colony block-2 Gulberg 3 Makkah colony gulberg Makkah colony Street No.17-18 Makkah colony Street No.19-22 Maqbool Road Ichra Mehran Block Allama Iqbal Town Miraj Street ichra Model colony , Makkah Colony Model colony , Makkah colony Gulberg 3 Model Colony gulberg Model Colony Model Model Colony Model town Near Q block Model Town Block A Model Town Block B Model Town Block F Model Town Block F, E Block Model Town Block F, K Block Model Town Block G Model Town Block H Mohammad pur Faisal Mohammadpur Faisal Muhallah Sultan Ahmed Road Muhallah usman street , Muhallah usman street , nawab street Bhatti colony link Road Muhammad Pura Ichra Mumdoot Block Mustafa town Wahdat Road Muslim Block Allama Block town Mustafa abad , gulberg N block model town Nabi pura Two gulberg 3-2 Najaf colony Najaf colony , Hinza Block Naqsha Stop New Muslim Town Nargis Block Allama Iqbal Block Town Nasir Colony gulberg 2 Nawab Pura Ichra nawab street Bhatti colony link Road Nawaz Shareef Colony Nawaz Shareef Colony, Ferozpur Road Neelam Block Allama Iqbal Town New Muslim Town New Muslim Town EGC Colony New Muslim Town EGC Colony New union park New union park samanabad Nishtar Block Allama Iqbal Town Nishtar Park Allama Iqbal Town Nizam Block Allama Iqbal Block Town Nizam Block, Bhekay wal Nizamuddin Road Ashiq P Block, gulberg 3 P-3, link road BGECHS, Model town PAF Falcon Colony Gulberg 3 PAF Falcon Complex Pak Block Allama Iqbal Town Pakistani chowk Ichra Pakistani chowk Ichra Hamiyon Street Pakistani Chowk Ichra, Peer Ghazi Road Ichra Phase B-3, GECHS Pind Bhekay Wal Punjab University New Campus Pura Air Port , PIA colony PWD colony , Bhekay wal Q Blcok Model town Extention Q Blcok Model town Flates Q Block Model town Q Block Model town extention Q Block Umer Colony Kousar colony Qurban line , Iqbal Qurban line , Iqbal colony , gulberg Qurban line, kachi abadi R Blcok Model town Bahar Colony R Block Model Town R Block Model Town Extention R, Block Model town R, Block Model town Bahar colony Rachna Block Allama Block Rahat Park Rakh Chandray Rasool park Samanabad Ravi Block Allama Iqbal Town Rawan Abadi Raza Block Allama Iqbal Town Rehman Pura Akbar Street Rehmanpura Rehmanpura Ichra Rehmanpura Karam Abad Research Staff Colony New Campus Sadiq Trade Center, H- Block Sadiq Trade Center, H-Block Sait merry Colony Gulberg 3 Sakindria Block Allama Iqbal Town samanabad Sardar pura Ichra Satlej Block Allama Iqbal Town Search Colony New Campus Search Colony New Campus Shadman colony Shadman Colony 1 Shadman Colony Jail road Shadman colony No.1 Shadman II Shah Di Khui New Shah Di Khui New Campus Shah Jamal Shah Jamal Colony Shah Jamal Colony Shadman Shah Jamal Colony Shadman I, II Shah Kamal Road (Ithaad Park) Shair Shah Colony Sher Shah Block New Garden Town Shora Kothi Rehman park Sultan Ahmed road , Sultan Ahmed road , Zaildar Road Shah Din Scheme Ichra Tariq Block, New Garden Town Thay Pind Firdos Market Tipo block, Garden Town T-P block Guberg 2 T-P Block Gulberg-2 ulberg Block G,H Umer Block Allama Iqbal Town Umer Street , usman street, Link Road Union park samanabad Union park samanbad Usman Block, New Garden Town Usmana Bazar ichra Wahdat Colony Wahdat Park Wahdat Road Wahidat Colony Shah Kamal Road Z.Blcok flates Model town Zafar Ali road , Azeez Zafar Colony Nadeem Shaheed Road Zahoor Ilahi Road Gulberg 3 Zaildar Park Ichra Ahata Mol Chand Zaildar Road Ichra Zeenat Blcok Allama Block
NA 132
Araiyan Main Bazar Hidyara Muhallah Aahilo Wali Gali Kahna Nau Aahiloo Aasil Karogy Aasil Suleman Aatoo Asil Air Avenue Phase-8 DHA Airport Road Sehjpal Chowk Amam Bargah Araiyan Esayan Badhoki, centeral Park Badoki Badoki, centeral park Badoki, Haveli Mochiyan Baduwar Baho Bholy Baoo Wala Baoo Wala Barki Road Baoo Wala Barki Road Main Bazar Baoo Wala Caras Colony Baoo Wala Darbar Khawaja Wali Road Bar Ka Khurd Barki Barki Government Barki Koheryan Barki Muhallah Koyan Barki Muhallah. Basti Eid Gah , Kachwana road kahna Basti kachwana Basti kahna Nau Bawa Wala Bawa Wala Main Bazar Bay Dag, Jalal Abad Berhaman Abad Bhangali Bhatta Kohar Badian Road Bhatta Kohar Juggian Alfa Bheeni Sandhu Burhaman Abad Burka Kalan Chak Aahiloo Chak Dheera Chaneeko Mondi Chapa Dara Iqbal Butt Chapa Masjid Hafiz Sahib wali Class Mari Dara Abdul Rehman Aahilo road kahna Nau Dara Chahil Dera Pindi Dev Sani Dhala Dhaloke Dhaloky Dhalwan Dheerkay Dhori Dogran Khurd Drag Pura Chak Bhart Fatah Jhung Sing wala Fazal Park Chacho Wali Khurd Sharqi Gaga Gajjumata Gajjumata ( Afzal Park / Millat Town) Gajjumata ( Asif town No.12) Gajjumata ( Faisal Town/ Shalimar Town) Gajjumata ( Ghosia park) Gajjumata ( Ghosia Park/ Niko Wali Haveli) Gajjumata ( Ghulam Hussain colony) Gajjumata ( Green Scheme cap Housing Scheme) Gajjumata ( Gulshan Muneer Housing scheme Street No.3-4) Gajjumata ( Gulshan Muneer Housing scheme) Gajjumata ( Gulzar colony) Gajjumata ( Haveli Hakim Wali / Haroon Park) Gajjumata ( Haveli Samanbad) Gajjumata ( Millat / Gulshan Muneer Housing Scheme) Gajjumata ( Muhammad Pura / Haroon Park) Gajjumata ( Muhammad Pura Sawa) Gajjumata ( New Avenue colony/ gulshan Muneer Colony) Gajjumata ( Rehmat Park / Khalid town) Gajjumata ( Rehmat Park / Millat Town) Gajjumata ( Rehmat Park) Gajjumata ( Rehmat Park/ Millat Town) Gajjumata ( Shahzad colony) Gajjumata ( Tiba Ansarian) Gajjumata (Khalid Town) Gajjumata (Robi Nala Madina town) Ghali Mohammad Ali Tail Wala Kahna Nau Gheenay Ghillar Colony Ghohawa Ghohawa Badian Road Ghond Ghondi Gooband Pur Guli Haji Alam Ansari, Gulzar Park Gulvera Gulzar Park Guru Mangat Nau Abad Hadyara Muhallah Arayan Hair ( Ahmadi colony) Hair ( Badian road) Hair ( Fareed Kot) Hair ( Khandyala) Hair ( Khandyanwala) Hair ( Meeran town ) Hair ( Sabzi wala pul) Hair ( Saddique town) Hair ( Wara Jattan) Haji Park Badian Road Harpalkay Hassan Abad Health Center Manhala Hidyara Hidyara Basti Jan Hidyara Basti Jan Muhammad Hidyara Boher wali Masjid Hidyara Muhallah Hidyara Muhallah Araiyan Esayan Hidyara Muhallah Araiyan Main Bazar Hidyara Muhallah Awan Hidyaran Jattan Imran Wali Street, Shahzada road Ismail Pura Ghohawa Jhaliyan Jhalo Jhalo Health center Jhalo Kashmir Muhallah Jhalo Khokhar House Jhalo P/S girls Jhalo Jhalo Phatik Railway Jhamin Jhandeer Jhulkay Jhulkay ( Post office kahna Nau) Jhulkay ( Shareef park) Jhulkay (Anwar Wali Haveli / Central park) Jhulkay (Anwar WaliHaveli / Central park) Jowad Town Ghohawa dian Road Juggian Alfa Kachwana Basti, eid Gah Kachwana Basti, eid Gah Basti kahna Nau Kahna Kuhna Kahna Kuhna ( Gulshan Shafiq colony) Kahna Kuhna ( Kashmir Pati) Kahna Kuhna ( Muhallah/ Muhallah Meowatian) Kahna Kuhna ( Purana Muhallah) Kahna Nau Kahna Nau, Town Committee Karankay Karbath Kark Keerka Keet Keet ( Gaon) Khand Khanokharni Khar Maliyan Khawaja Khaliq Kheera Khuda Buksh Colony Bhatta Chowk Khushal singh Wala Koheriya Gujjar Muhallah Koheriya Malik Muhallah Kot Islam pura Kot Mela Ram Kot Nabi Baksh Kot Purs Ram ( Azad town) Ladhaykay Bhullar Ladhykay Ladhykay, Bhullar , Lakhoky Lalwa Lehna Singh Wala Lidher Main Bazar Baoo Wala Barki Road Main Bazar Manhala kalan Malik Chohar Wali Malik Chohar Wali Street Ameen Wali Street malik Pura Malik Pura Bhatta Kohar Malik Pura Bilal Town Maliyan Malkhoki Mandyala Manhala kalan Meer Colony Kahna Nau Mohalla Manawala Mohalla Rehmat Pura Badian Road Mojokay chak Danokay Mota singh wala Moya Kalan Moya Khurd Moza Bhatta Kohar Khuda Buksh Colony Ghazi Road Moza Ghohawa Moza Ghohawa Gulshan Scheme Muhallah Baabywal Muhallah Main Bazar Muhallah Meowatian Muhammad Muhammadi pur Munhala Kalan Munhala Khurd Mustafabad, lalyani Nai Abadi Class Mari Nai Abadi Ghohawa Nai Abadi Ghohawa Badian Road Nalka Stap Baoo Wala Naror Lailah pur Naseeb Abad Naseem Abad , Bilal Nagar Natha singh wala Nathoki Nawa Pind Gujjaran Nayab Colony Bhatta Chowk Near Aatta Floor Masjid Kahna Nau Noor Pur Noorani Masjid Street Chairman Wali Nurwar – Londo Khan Nurwar -Dara Ghory Khan Nurwar- Dara Moj Khan Nurwar govt girls high school Nurwar-Dara Muhammad Ismail Opal Paday Dara Lal Din Pandoki, Haveli Khokhran Pandoki, Mashmola Sultan Pura Pandoki, Muhallah Araiyan Pandoki, Muhallah Baba Bhullay Shah Pandoki, Muhallah Khokhran Pathankay Phadhana Phadhana Gharki Phadhana Muhallah Jattan DA Phularwan Phulrwan Pudri Qila Jeewan Singh Rahman Pura Raja Bhola Rakh Rakh Bangali Rakh Banikat Rakh Bhangali Rakh Dara Chahil Rakh Dhori Rakh Herdut Singh Rakh Padri Rakh Teda Rakh Teda Berhaman Ram Pura Kalan Ram Pura Khurd Road Nepal Bohigen Roadanwala Rustam Park Kahna Nau Sangat pura School Shahzad Shahzada Road , Deri Pura Shahzada Road Kahna Nau Shajpal Shajpal Bhatta Kohar Shankay Soora Sraich Street Gorgeous Warrior Street Street Master Amaad ul Street Master Amaad ul Din Kahna Nau Taqi Pur Dara Yousaf Chaki Wala Terda Thatha Khurd Thather Thay Pura The Sija Mirja Theh Janib Tiba Ghohawa Tiba Ghohawa Badian Road Tiba Ghohawa Badian Road Tiba Ghohawa Badian Road Masjid Bilal Tiba Ghohawa Bhatta Kohar Tiba Ghohawa Bhatta Kohar Main Bazar Tiba Ghohawa Pind Titlay
Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and ex-federal minister Farrukh Habib announced his departure from the party on Monday, pledging allegiance to the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) during a press conference held at the IPP’s head office in Lahore.
In a significant blow to the PTI, Habib condemned the May 9 riots, attributing the responsibility for the turmoil to former prime minister and Chairman of PTI, Imran Khan. He criticized Imran Khan’s handling of the political situation, alleging that the former premier fueled violence and instigated a confrontation against state institutions.
Habib said PTI’s “war” with the state institutions was “not a war between believers and non-believers,” lamenting that the ex-premier brought the country to the verge of violence.
The IPP was formed on June 8 by estranged PTI leaders Tareen and Aleem Khan, who left the ex-PM’s party after severe disagreements, while several Imran loyalists have also joined hands with them.
“I wasn’t at my house for the past five months […] and for the last few weeks, I wasn’t even in contact with my family,” Habib told journalists.
“Since May 9, we did not face the law and were away from our houses. For the past five months, I was constantly pondering whether I joined politics for this reason,” he said.
During the press conference, Farrukh Habib highlighted a series of grievances with the PTI’s leadership, citing instances where he felt the party had deviated from its ethical and moral compass. He criticized the PTI chief for allegedly accepting gifts from the Toshakhana despite previously condemning similar actions by other political leaders.
“I realised that we took our real struggle to the path of violence. We stepped away from Pakistan which was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam,” he said.
Habib recalled that the PTI government was ousted via a vote of no-confidence constitutionally, but regretted that the party did not wait peacefully after that. Expressing his perspective, he said the PTI should have opted for a “democratic struggle” and waited for elections.
“But you opted for violent resistance. We have faced beatings as youth leaders but we never opted for a violent approach. We used to work so dedicatedly for our vision,” Habib said. “But if you look at that struggle and compare it with the post-May 9 violence, you will see a difference.
“There were messages for people to take to the streets and their minds were hijacked. Their sentiments were provoked that Pakistan’s institutions are working against them,” he claimed.
Habib stated that “a message of hatred” was run on television all the time and a “bullet approach instead of ballot approach” was taken.
Habib’s decision to join the IPP follows a series of similar defections from the PTI in recent weeks, suggesting internal upheavals within the party ranks. The former minister’s remarks resonated with similar sentiments expressed by other estranged PTI members who have found a common cause in the IPP.
A police raid on a residence in Peshawar’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) narrowly missed apprehending former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader, Murad Saeed, as confirmed by authorities on Sunday.
While Saeed managed to slip away, law enforcement officials disclosed that they had successfully detained some of his close associates, including a relative and personal staff members.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Warsak, Arshad Khan, has revealed that Murad Saeed was purportedly harbored in a residence located in Nasir Bagh, where he received assistance in his escape.
It was further reported that the relatives of Murad Saeed not only obstructed the police operation but also verbally abused the officers involved in the raid. Shockingly, Saeed managed to flee just minutes before the police’s arrival.
The trigger for the raid was a tip-off received by the Nasir Bagh police station, suggesting Saeed’s presence at the house of his relative in DHA. The Superintendent of Police (SP) Warsak division, Arshad Khan, confirmed the intelligence and subsequent action taken by the police team.
The First Information Report (FIR) filed after the incident highlighted Saeed’s alleged involvement in multiple cases, including a violation of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorist Act. The report also accused the individuals present at the scene, including women, of obstructing the police’s efforts, allowing Saeed an opportunity to flee.
Additionally, the FIR detailed the recovery of firearms and ammunition from the vehicles seized during the operation. Notably, the owner of the house, Ilyas, along with Mohammad Arsalan, Azizur Rehman, and two women, who were identified as relatives of the former federal minister, faced charges under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Arms Act, including 506, 353, 186, 216, 148, 149, and 15.
It is pertinent to mention that there are ongoing cases against Murad Saeed related to incidents that occurred on May 9 and 10. The situation surrounding this case continues to evolve as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged escape of the prominent PTI leader.
In a recent development, Punjab’s Special Prosecutor, Syed Farhad Ali Shah, revealed that the Home Department has issued a notification to conduct the trial of the May 9 cases within the confines of a jail facility.
Speaking about the matter, Syed Farhad Ali Shah stated, “The Jinnah House trial is set to be completed within a timeframe of one to one and a half months.” He also confirmed that the challan (charge sheet) has been submitted to the court.
The notification issued by the Home Department specifies that not only the Jinnah House case but also the arson and siege cases related to Askari Tower and Shadman police station will be conducted within jail premises. The move aims to streamline legal proceedings and enhance security during the trials.
In a related development, Justice Ali Baqir Najfi of the Lahore High Court (LHC), on Monday, directed Punjab government prosecutors to apprise the court in the Khadijah Shah case after taking directions from the government.
The petitioner, through a lawyer, pleaded that she was unduly implicated in the May 9 riots incidents and Gulberg police station had illegally involved her in the case against the facts. “The Anti-Terrorism Court dismissed the bail by ignoring the facts,” Khadija Shah pleaded via her lawyer in the provincial apex court.
Earlier, the LHC had conditionally dismissed the registrar’s objections to Khadija Shah’s bail plea, deciding to remove objectionable documents from the application and dismissing the objection itself.
In another recent development, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) has ordered the release of Sanam Javed Khan, a prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist, and eight other party members in connection with the Jinnah House attack case. The decision comes after a series of legal proceedings surrounding the incident earlier this year.
Presiding over the case, ATC Judge Arshad Javed announced the verdict, granting bail to the nine suspects involved in the Jinnah House attack. The court approved their bail pleas, requiring surety bonds worth Rs 0.1 million each, thereby paving the way for their release.
Kamran Shahid, the anchor of On the Front on Dunya News, filmed a highly anticipated interview at his ancestral ‘Haveli’, airing it on Wednesday night.
Usman Dar, one of the stalwarts of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the former head of PTI’s Tiger Force, an organization comprising young volunteers, appeared on the show to talk about who was the mastermind behind the May 9 riots. On the said day, after PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from Islamabad High Court, protests broke out throughout the country, leading to armed clashes between them and law enforcement agencies. Jinnah House in Lahore, GHQ building in Rawalpindi, airbases and other state installations, along with monuments honouring martyred military men, Askari Tower, Military Library, residences of the armed forces officers, army selection center, petrol pumps, were attacked or set ablaze.
Dar reappeared in public after 147 days to announce on the show that not only was he leaving PTI but also bidding farewell to politics forever. Dar started off by mentioning that he had been missing his passionate arguments with Kamran Shahid on his programs, moving on to say he joined PTI because he genuinely believed that Imran Khan was a leader who could provide a platform for “clean politics.”
Dar termed the aftermath of May 9 for PTI workers an “earthquake”, stating that the day did not unfold incidentally but happened after a significant build-up. After the PTI government was removed, there were two types of mindsets in the party, Dar revealed. Murad Saeed, Azam Swati, and Hammad Azhar were the ones who believed in the politics of collision while Asad Umar, Omar Ayub, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shafqat Mahmood, and Dar himself believed in the politics of reconciliation.
“Those who believed in the collision were convinced that this confrontation would generate results. Unfortunately, Imran Khan supported that group more. He is anyways more of a leading from the front type, and he likes front liners,” said Dar, unveiling what went on in Zaman Park, where Imran Khan was bunkered down.
He further stated that the beliefs of the collision group prevailed more within the party and Imran Khan supported this policy. He also explained how workers from Punjab and KPK were called on and off to Lahore to provide Imran Khan with a ‘human shield’ to avoid arrest. Duties, timing, and days were divided among leaders and workers to stop something as “unique” as Imran Khan’s arrest.
Dar stated that workers had a feeling that they had to save Imran Khan at all costs. Imran Khan was supporting the anti-state narrative that was being developed among workers. “Imran Khan started with General Bajwa and then on to [Chief of Army Staff] Asim Munir. I believe any Army Chief would leave, like today General Asim Munir is there instead of General Bajwa but the institution remains there,” he said.
He also explained that the long march organised by PTI in November 2022 was to oppose General Asim Munir’s appointment. “I think Imran Khan had some information from within the institution that probably the long march would hinder the appointment of General Asim Munir,” Dar said, confirming what many political pundits had suspected since long.
Dar also said that he’ll appear in court to state all this under oath if he has to.
After May 9, the lives of PTI workers have changed entirely and their families are suffering, the Sialkot based Dar observed. Finally, he said he is disappointed in Imran Khan.
The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, addressed an important press conference on Monday afternoon.
While talking about self-accountability in the army, DG ISPR revealed that three officers including a Lieutenant General have been sacked and due actions have been completed against another 15 officers, including three Major General and seven Brigadiers.
“As of now, a granddaughter of a retired four-star general, son-in-law of a retired four-star star general, wife of a retired three-star general,l and wife and son-in-law of a retired two-star general are facing the process of accountability due to irrefutable evidence,” he said.
“So far, the investigation has revealed that the May 9 tragedy had been planned in the past few months,” said the DG ISPR.
Stating that no one involved in May 9 riots will be spared, he stressed that the perpetrators will be punished according to the law.
He further said that currently 102 people are being tried in military courts.
While answering a question about the masterminds of May 9 events he said, “It would be premature to say definitively who the mastermind is. These are the same people who have influenced the minds of the people against the military.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on Sunday that Pakistan has successfully fulfilled all the prerequisites set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the halted bailout program. He expressed confidence that no obstacles remain in finalising a staff-level agreement between the nation and the IMF, emphasising that Pakistan is committed to resolving its financial challenges.
During the inauguration of the Sabzazar Sports Complex in Lahore, Prime Minister Shehbaz hinted at a contingency plan, stating, “If there are further delays in reaching an agreement with the IMF, I will address the situation.” He urged the public not to panic, assuring them that Pakistan will be safeguarded by the divine will of Allah. He expressed hope that the government and the IMF will achieve a staff-level agreement within the current month.
Highlighting the significance of political stability, the Prime Minister emphasised its crucial role in ensuring economic stability. He pledged to bring about economic prosperity in the country under the leadership of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
In strong criticism of the former ruling party, Prime Minister Shehbaz held deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan responsible for the events of May 9 and vowed to bring all those involved in the violent protests and attacks on civil and military installations to justice.
