Authorities fear my release will unite people: Shah Mahmood Qureshi

The former Foreign Minister says he is facing fabricated charges, confident that the courts will deliver justice.

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that authorities fear his release could lead to public mobilisation, adding that he is facing fabricated charges.

He made the comments while appearing in an Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore for hearings related to the May 9 violence cases.

"I was not in Punjab when these cases were filed, yet I was arrested over a year later. Upon my release, I was immediately rearrested under new charges related to May 9," he told the court.

The former Foreign Minister stressed his commitment to the rule of law, stating, "I have never thought of fleeing. I am the deputy captain of PTI's founding leader and have been in politics for 40 years without a single case against me until now."

He also accused the prosecution of deliberately delaying the trial, stating that authorities were avoiding arguments to prolong the case.

"If we are guilty, we should be punished. They are wasting the nation's time," he added.

He is currently dealing with 55 legal cases.

He expressed his confidence in the judiciary and called for justice to be served swiftly.

A few months ago, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was indicted in the case related to the arson of Shadman police station on May 9, 2023.

The Anti-Terrorism Court in Kot Lakhpat Jail of Lahore held a hearing for the Shadman arson case, where Judge Khalid Arshad formally charged PTI's Qureshi and summoned witnesses for the next hearing.

The court indicted Shah Mahmood Qureshi and adjourned the case until July 22.

Previously, he was brought to Kot Lakhpat Jail under heavy security for the proceedings related to the May 9 incidents.

The anti-terrorism court had summoned him for the indictment process