PTI's Shah Mahmood Qureshi transferred to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail

Former foreign minister moved to Lahore's ATC for May 9 case hearing after JIT completed terrorism-related inquiries

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was incarcerated in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, has been transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore under strict security measures.

A judge from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore will conduct a hearing at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where the PTI leader will be presented regarding the May 9 incidents.

Jail sources reported that Qureshi was moved after a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) completed its inquiry into several terrorism-related cases at Adiala Jail.

"Qureshi will be presented in court at Kot Lakhpat Jail today," stated Barrister Taimoor Malik, Qureshi's legal counsel.

Following the hearing, the court will decide if the former minister remains in Lahore or returns to Adiala Jail.

On July 4, an Islamabad-based district and sessions court acquitted PTI founder Imran, Qureshi and several other leaders in a case registered at the Aabpara police station.

On June 27, the hearing of May 9 cases against 500 accused, including former premier Imran Khan and former foreign minister Qureshi, was adjourned until July 15 without any proceedings.

The Rawalpindi court expressed displeasure over the absence of the PTI chief and Qureshi, who were reportedly resting in their cells and did not appear despite being summoned.

On June 3, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and Qureshi in the Cipher case.

The court suspended their 10-year sentence as it heard the appeals by the incarcerated ex-PM Imran and former foreign minister Qureshi.

On March 19, the IHC noted that the speeches delivered by Imran and Qureshi at a public rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, "appear to be political in nature."