Former foreign minister moved to Lahore’s ATC for May 9 case hearing after JIT completed terrorism-related inquiries
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been transferred from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore under strict security.
A judge from Lahore’s anti-terrorism court (ATC) will hold a hearing at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Where Qureshi will appear for the May 9 incidents.
Jail sources confirmed that Qureshi was moved after a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) completed its inquiries into several terrorism-related cases at Adiala Jail.
“Qureshi will be presented in court at Kot Lakhpat Jail today,” said Barrister Taimoor Malik, Qureshi’s lawyer.
The court will decide if Qureshi stays in Lahore or returns to Adiala Jail after the hearing.
On July 4, an Islamabad district and sessions court acquitted PTI founder Imran Khan, Qureshi, and several other leaders in a case filed at Aabpara police station.
On June 27, the hearing of May 9 cases against 500 accused. Including former PM Imran Khan and former foreign minister Qureshi, was postponed until July 15 without any proceedings.
The Rawalpindi court showed displeasure over the absence of Imran Khan and Qureshi. Who were resting in their cells and did not appear despite being summoned.
On June 3, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted Imran Khan and Qureshi in the Cipher case. The court suspended their 10-year sentence while hearing appeals by the imprisoned ex-PM and former foreign minister.
On March 19, the IHC noted that speeches by Imran Khan and Qureshi at a public rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, “appear to be political in nature.”
