May 9 riots: Qureshi acquitted, Dr Yasmin, Sanam Javed, Aliya Hamza and others get jail terms

A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday acquitted senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two more cases pertaining to May 9 riots. However, it sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid to 10 years in prison.

The court announced its reserved verdict in the two cases related to the Shadman police station attack and burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill had reserved the verdict after recording evidence and arguments at Kot Lakhpat jail. He convicted Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry, Cheema and Rashid in both the cases.

The court also sentenced PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed to five years in prison in the Shadman case.

In the Shadman police station case, the court indicted 25 of the 41 people named in the charge sheet, recorded testimony of 45 prosecution witnesses, and declared 15 suspects proclaimed offenders.

Also Read: May 9 riots: ATC convicts 108 PTI workers, hands 10-year sentences to key leaders

In the vehicle torching case, 17 accused were indicted, seven declared proclaimed offenders, and statements from 65 witnesses recorded.

Last month, Qureshi was similarly acquitted in a separate May 9 case related to violence on Sherpao Bridge, while Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry and others were sentenced to 10 years over their alleged roles in that incident.

That case, registered by Sarwar Road police, accused PTI leaders and workers of damaging and setting fire to public property on the bridge in Lahore Cantonment.