PTI leadership found guilty in 9 May events: JIT report submitted to court

Report states that the PTI leadership instigated the public on 9 May, leading to the violent events.

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report in the cases related to the violent events of 9 May, was presented in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday, revealing that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership and several party leaders have been found guilty of inciting violence.

The report, which was completed after thorough investigation, states that the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) instigated the public on 9 May, leading to the violent events, Express News reported.

The JIT's findings include that prominent PTI figures such as Asad Umar, Azam Swati, and Hafiz Farhat, among others, are responsible for the incidents and should be held accountable.

During the hearing in Lahore, ATC Judge Arshad Javed questioned the defence lawyers of the accused, asking why they had previously requested an extension for the investigation and now that it was complete, they sought a delay in arguments.

The court then adjourned the hearing, scheduling the next session for 14 January, when the defence will present its arguments.

Progress in other 9 May related cases

In addition to the 9 May incidents, the ATC in Lahore also made key progress in five cases related to the attacks on Jinnah House, the Shadman Police Station arson, and other events from 9 May.

The investigation officer presented his report, declaring the accused guilty in four of these cases.

The officer's report identified Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, and others as responsible for the attacks. They appeared in court after their interim bail expired. The report was presented before ATC's administrative judge, Manzoor Ali Gill.

The court will continue to hear these cases and has instructed all parties to prepare for further proceedings.

Earlier this week,, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi formally indicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with over 100 other PTI leaders and supporters, in connection with the May 9, 2023, attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) following his arrest.

In a separate case, another ATC in Lahore indicted PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and several other party leaders for their involvement in acts of violence on the same day in Punjab’s capital.

The Rawalpindi court proceedings took place at the Adiala Jail, with Judge Syed Amjad Ali Shah presiding over the case. Imran Khan, along with prominent accused figures such as National Assembly Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub, former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Sadaqat Abbasi, Raja Basharat, and Zartaj Gul, were present during the hearing.

Special Public Prosecutor Zaheer Shah presented the charge-sheet to the court, which included serious charges such as rebellion, criminal conspiracy, terrorism, attempted murder, and vandalism. All the accused, including Imran Khan, denied the charges against them.

The court adjourned the hearing until December 10, with instructions for the prosecution to present evidence. Additionally, the court dismissed a petition filed by Imran Khan challenging its jurisdiction. Prosecutor Shah argued that the violent protests that followed Imran’s arrest were acts of terrorism, aimed at exerting pressure on the government.