Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid indicted in May 9 riots case

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore indicted 21 people, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, in connection with the May 9, 2023, riots.

The charges are related to the burning of a container at Kalma Chowk during the violent protests that followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The hearing was conducted at a makeshift court in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail, where Qureshi, who was the foreign minister during PTI's rule, denied the charges.

Judge Arshad Javed postponed the hearing until February 17 and called for prosecution witnesses to appear.

The May 9 riots broke out across the country after Imran Khan’s arrest in a case involving a £190 million settlement. The protests led to widespread violence, with PTI supporters attacking both civilian and military targets, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The military called May 9 a “Black Day” and decided to prosecute those involved under the Army Act. Along with Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, other PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, are facing trials and imprisonment for their roles in the protests and violence.