More PTI workers named in May 9 cases

Court allows Sargodha police to interrogate suspects in Adiala, Attock jails

RAWALPINDI:

Scores of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested between November 24 and 17, 2024, and detained at Adiala and Attock jails have been booked in four new cases registered in Sargodha for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, 21 months after the event.

The fresh cases have raised questions about their authenticity as the saga surrounding the arrest and legal proceedings against PTI workers unfolds.

These cases come in addition to charges previously filed in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Jaranwala police stations.

From November 24 to 27, over 600 PTI workers were held in connection with 16 cases. According to sources, the Sargodha police have approached the Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi, seeking permission to interrogate the detainees.

Judge Amjad Ali Shah approved the applications, allowing interrogation at Adiala Jail.

However, the transfer of the detainees to Lahore and Faisalabad hit a roadblock. The police from both cities, citing security concerns, withdrew their requests to take custody of the workers, despite having filed petitions.

The court postponed the hearings, setting January 9 for Lahore's petition and January 11 for Faisalabad's. The investigation teams from both cities returned home after a three-day stay in Rawalpindi and Attock.

In the meantime, Sargodha police submitted fresh applications, asserting that some PTI workers had participated in protests in Sargodha and were implicated in terrorism cases registered nearly two years ago. Inspector Muhammad Saleem, part of Sargodha's investigation team, confirmed plans to seek a one-day transit remand to transfer the detainees to Sargodha for physical remand and further interrogation.

PTI's legal team, led by advocates Sher Afzal Marwat and Malik Faisal, vehemently opposed the moves, labelling them unconstitutional and politically motivated. "Many of these individuals have never been to Lahore, Faisalabad, or Sargodha, yet they are being framed in baseless cases as part of political vengeance," argued Marwat.

Addressing the media later, Marwat warned of the potential for increased provincial tensions and severe consequences if such actions persist.