LAHORE – The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted bail on Friday to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Umar Sarfraz Cheema in the Jinnah House attack case.
Court Hearing and Charges
Judge Arshad Javed of the Lahore ATC presided over the hearing and considered the bail applications of Dr. Rashid and Cheema. Authorities arrested both leaders on charges related to the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore, including arson and encirclement. They remain in police custody, and the case is filed at the Sarwar Road police station.
Background of the Incident
Nationwide protests erupted on May 9, 2024, after PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court over the Al-Qadir Trust case. The protests led to widespread violence, with significant damage to public and private properties. At least eight people died, and 290 others suffered injuries during the unrest.
Unrest and Aftermath
In Lahore, protesters stormed the Corps Commander’s residence, known as Jinnah House, and breached the gate of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Authorities arrested approximately 1,900 individuals nationwide following the violence and vandalism, filing numerous cases against PTI members, including Imran Khan.
Legal Proceedings
The First Information Report (FIR) at Sarwar Road police station named Dr. Yasmin Rashid and other PTI leaders and activists on charges of terrorism and related offenses. The court had previously granted bail to Dr. Rashid on March 1, 2024, in a separate case related to the Gulberg arson incident.
