ATC orders Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s release after acquittal

PTI leader had been acquitted on August 11 in cases, which were registered against him following May 9 riots

Listen to article

LAHORE:

In response to a recent order, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued a 'warrant of release' addressed to the superintendent of Central Jail Kot Lakhpat for the release of PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The release pertains to two cases in which the court had acquitted him.

ATC Judge Manzer Ali Gill issued two separate ‘warrants of release’ in connection with two different FIRs (768/23 and 103/23). Qureshi had been acquitted on August 11 in these cases, which were registered against him following the May 9 riots that erupted after the arrest of PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan.

Judge Gill, issuing the separate warrants, addressed the superintendent of Central Jail Kot Lakhpat, stating, “This is to authorise and require you, the superintendent of the jail, to release the accused Shah Mehmood Qureshi from this case forthwith if he is not required by you in any other case.”

Warrant of Commitment of Sentences of Imprisonment

Meanwhile, ATC Judge Gill also issued a ‘warrant of commitment of sentences of imprisonment’, authorising and requiring the superintendent of the jail to receive PTI’s former governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Ijaz Ch, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, and others into custody in the said jail. The superintendent was also directed to carry out the sentences according to the law.

Properties Forfeited

In his order, announced on August 11, Judge Gill also awarded sentences to PTI’s lawmakers and workers, and ordered the forfeiture of properties belonging to PTI’s former governor Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Ijaz Ch, Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed, and other workers under section 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

It is noteworthy that, according to judgments announced by ATCs across the province, more than 120 PTI lawmakers and workers have had their properties forfeited. Earlier, the ATC in Faisalabad had ordered the forfeiture of properties from 90 convicts, while the Sargodha court, in two cases, had forfeited the properties of 30 convicts under Section 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

On May 9, 2023, PTI lawmakers and supporters staged violent protests across the country in reaction to the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. These protests included the vandalism of military installations and other state-owned buildings, including the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore.