May 9 cases: Bushra Bibi's interim bail plea dismissed

Rawalpindi: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi's interim bail application was rejected in 12 cases related to May 9, 2023.

Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi Judge Malik Ijaz Asif heard the cases related to May 9 in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.

More than 500 accused of May 9 tragedy, including founder chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, were presented in the anti-terrorism court.

Sheikh Rashid, Shibli Faraz, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Sadaqat Abbasi, Shireen Mazari, Azam Swati, and others were among those presented.

The court dismissed former first lady Bushra Bibi's interim bail plea in 12 cases on May 9.

The court declared that the investigation of May 9 cases against Bushra Bibi should be completed in seven days. When the accused is arrested in so many cases, investigation is necessary. Further hearing of the cases was postponed till August 22.

It is pertinent to note that last year on May 9, 2023, after the arrest of Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case, there was a nationwide protest by PTI. Meanwhile, in Lahore's Model Town area, on May 9, apart from the burning of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office, military, civil, and private facilities were set on fire. Public and private properties were severely damaged while at least eight people were killed and 290 injured.

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 leaders and workers.

Central PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Sanam Javed were also arrested for their involvement in the May 9 incidents.