LAHORE: A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe May 9 riots on Saturday held the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership responsible for the mayhem across the country.
Thousands of workers and leaders of the PTI took to the streets and attacked government and military installations after the arrest of former premier Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the Al-Qadar trust corruption case on May 9, 2023.
Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge Arshad Javed heard several cases related to the May 9 riots.
According to the JIT report, the PTI leadership incited people to vandalism.
The report termed Azam Swati, Asad Umer and Hafiz Farhat Abbas responsible for the incidents that took place following the PTI founder’s arrest by the paramilitary forces.
The court rebuked the accused lawyers for not being ready for the arguments, contending “You were asking for the investigation earlier, now the investigation is completed but you aren’t arguing your case.”
In a seemingly displeased tone, the judge asked the PTI lawyers to suggest a date.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Jan 14.
Imran Khan and his party PTI constantly demanded a judicial investigation into the May 9 riots. Imran Khan had also filed a petition in the Supreme Court to investigate the May 9 riots.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court fixed Imran Khan’s plea before the seven-member constitutional bench for December 10.
The PTI founding chairman has also requested that the Supreme Court declare the trial by the civilian-military court as null and void.
