In a significant development related to the May 9 torching of the PML-N office, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Wednesday indicted 31 individuals, including senior PTI leaders. Among those indicted in case number 366/23 were Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, and Sanam Javed.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 22, where witnesses will be called to testify. Despite the indictment, all accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. A second case (number 367/23) related to the same incident will see its indictment on January 23.
The cases were registered at the Gulberg and Model Town police stations in Lahore. The court has adjourned the hearing until January 22.
In an informal conversation with the media outside the court, PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry accused Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of attempting to derail ongoing talks between the government and PTI. He suggested that Maryam should urge her relatives to publicly declare the end of negotiations. Chaudhry emphasized that while PTI members were willing to endure more time in jail for the sake of the country, the talks should continue for the nation’s benefit.
Chaudhry also expressed frustration over his inability to attend a Senate session due to restrictions imposed by jail authorities, calling it an insult to Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. He appealed to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to address this issue, asserting that such actions have been undermining the party since its inception.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid also spoke to the media, condemning the government for its blatant disregard of Senate Chairman Gilani’s production orders. She criticized the authorities for preventing PTI senators from attending Senate sessions and called it a violation of human rights. Rashid also lamented the punishments handed out to PTI workers by military courts, noting that hundreds of party supporters remain imprisoned.
