ATC rejects bail application of Shah Mehmood, other PTI leaders

LAHORE: Another setback for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as An-Anti Terrorism Court in Lahore rejected the bail application of in-jailed leaders.

The bail application was filed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi and two other party figures in the May 9 arson and vandalism cases.

Former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and former minister Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed’s applications were also not approved.

Upon concluding the arguments from both parties, the ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the verdict. The bail applications were linked to a case involving arson outside Rahat Bakery, registered by the Sarwar Road police station.

The rejection of bail will also affect the other cases currently pending in the trial courts.

Earlier, in a recent development, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) for Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has threatened that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sons will get arrested if they dare to join the protest movement.

While speaking exclusively in a program, SAPM Rana Sanaullah informed that the sons of the PTI founder are British citizens and are unaware of the internal political landscape of Pakistan.

He questioned the intention behind bringing them to Pakistan, suggesting it could only add to their difficulties. “If they come and take part in the party’s political movement, they will face arrest,” he warned.

Rana Sanaullah criticized PTI’s protest methods, saying no one can trust that their demonstrations would remain peaceful, given their record of violent agitation, attacks on institutions, and arson.