Bail applications of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Sarfaraz Cheema, and Mehmoodur Rasheed denied in cases pertaining to May 9.
An anti-terrorism court has denied the bail applications of PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed in connection with the May 9 arson and vandalism incident outside a local bakery.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul delivered the ruling. The petitioners contended that the police’s case was unfounded and unrelated to the arson incident. They asserted that they had been incarcerated since their apprehension and petitioned the court to sanction their bail.
The prosecution contested the bail applications, asserting that the accused were deemed guilty during the investigation and urged the court to reject their requests.
Subsequent to the proceedings, the court denied the bail petitions of former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed. The Sarwar Road Police Station registered the case against them.
VERDICT PENDING ON SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI’S ACQUITTAL REQUEST
A hearing took place at the District and Sessions Court Islamabad concerning the May 9 case involving PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi and others, during which the decision on his acquittal plea was reserved.
Judicial Magistrate Shehzad Khan adjudicated the case. Ali Bukhari, the attorney for Shah Mahmood Qureshi, presented his case in court, asserting that multiple other defendants had previously been exonerated in the same matter. He noted that the court had exonerated certain defendants on March 8, 2025.
Advocate Ali Bukhari stated that Qureshi is charged with instigating vandalism under the instruction of the PTI founder via a video message. A case has been filed against Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Tarnol Police Station.
