A Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court, in a reserved verdict for two May 9 cases, acquitted PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Meanwhile, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Aaliya Hamza and Sanam Javed received 5-year sentences.
The judgment was announced by Judge Manzar Ali Gul of the Anti-Terrorism Court for two cases related to the Shadman police station and Rahat Bakery arson incidents.
The court’s decision specifically acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi of all charges related to the Shadman police station fire and the burning of police vehicles.
Former Punjab governor Sarfraz Cheema, provincial ministers Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mahmood-ur-Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry were all handed 10-year prison sentences.
The court also sentenced PTI leaders Aaliya Hamza and Sanam Javed to 5 years in prison each.
In the Shadman police station arson case, the court acquitted 12 suspects and convicted 13. Those acquitted include Salman Ahmed, Abdul Qadir, Faizan, Tayyab Sultan, Shahid Baig, Majid Ali, Bakht Rawan, Sohail Khan, Awais, Rafiuddin, and Farid Khan.
In the Rahat Bakery arson case, 10 suspects were acquitted and 7 were sentenced.
The court sentenced Hafiz Arshad, the guard of the PTI founder, to 10 years. Ten suspects were acquitted in the case of burning police vehicles outside the bakery.
The court sentenced Ayesha Bhatta to 10 years, and five juvenile suspects were acquitted. Aaliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were also each fined Rs. 100,000.
The Anti-Terrorism Court had reserved its verdict on Thursday. The trial involved 45 suspects in total; 25 of whom are arrested, 15 are absconders, and one has passed away.