ATC extends Fawad's bail in five cases

LAHORE:

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Friday extended the interim bail of former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in five separate cases related to the May 9 violence, including incidents of arson and the burning of police vehicles at Mughalpura, Zaman Park, and Jinnah House Chowk.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul presided over the proceedings, during which Fawad Chaudhry appeared in person to mark his attendance. The court extended his bail in three cases registered near Jinnah House and two others filed in Mughalpura and Zaman Park until November 28. The prosecution alleged that Fawad Chaudhry had incited party workers to commit vandalism and arson during the violent protests, asserting that there was sufficient evidence to move forward with the trial. The judge directed Chaudhry's counsel to present detailed arguments at the next hearing.

The interim bail of several other accused persons in the same cases was also extended until November 21.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Fawad Chaudhry criticized what he described as "politically motivated cases" against him and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. "While PTI leaders in London and Canada talk from abroad, we are appearing before the courts here," he remarked.