ATC orders to transfer Qureshi to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail

Lahore: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Lahore Friday ordered the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi to Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi filed an appearance request through video link from Adiala Jail as the trial of May 9 cases against him is going on.

A request was made by the police to transfer Shah Mehmood to Kot Lakhpat Jail permanently.

The court accepted the request of the police and ordered PTI leader to be transferred to Lahore Jail.

It is pertinent to note that on July 15, the ATC Lahore indicted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the case of burning Shadman police station on May 9.

On the same day, Shah was taken from Adiala Jail to Kot Lakhpat Jail under strict security.

Earlier on July 6, the police submitted a challan to the ATC against PTI Vice Chairman Mahmood in the May 9 Shadman police station arson case.

Background

Notably, after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9 last year, there was a nationwide protest by the PTI, during which apart from burning the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office, military, civil, and private facilities were set on fire in Lahore's Model Town on May 9. The public and private properties were severely damaged while at least eight people were killed and 290 injured.

The 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, 1900 people involved in fighting, vandalism and arson were arrested across the country with law enforcement agencies, while cases were also registered against Imran Khan and his party leaders and workers.