Jinnah House case: PTI leaders’ bail extended

Lahore: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Lahore Friday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and National Assembly leader Omar Ayub Khan, Azam Swati and Zain Qureshi in the May 9 Jinnah House attack case till August 6.

The court also extended the interim bail of Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and Musarat Cheema till August 6.

Babar Awan, the lawyer of Omar Ayub in the Jinnah House attack case, argued that they should be told about the allegations against Omar. To which the court said that this happens in the trial that the evidence of the allegations is presented.

The court inquired whether it is necessary to state what are the charges against the accused at the level of investigation.

Lawyer Babar Awan, pleaded for a date in all bails, arguing that it was difficult to repeatedly hash out different cases.

He also said that the hearing of one case is today, in other cases the dates of July 21, July 23, and July 24 have been fixed.

The investigation could not be completed by the police, and the record was not submitted.

The court remarked that the investigation against the accused be completed and then look into the matter.

Lawyer Babar Awan argued that Ayub's grandfather, father, and son have been in the army, to which the court said that it is the stage of investigation and it is the right of the police to submit evidence.

Later, the court extended the interim bail of PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Azam Swati, and Zain Qureshi in the Jinnah House attack case till August 6, along with the interim bail of Jamshed and Musarat also.

It is pertinent to note that after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, there was a nationwide protest by the PTI, during which the army, Civil and private installations were set on fire. Public and private property was severely damaged, while at least eight people were killed and 290 injured.

Protesters also stormed the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore, also known as Jinnah House, and broke a gate of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Subsequently, 1,900 people involved in fighting, vandalism, and arson were arrested across the country by law enforcement agencies, while cases were also registered against Imran Khan and his party workers.