SM Qureshi can’t be convicted in May 9 cases, says Lawyer Faisal Ch

ISLAMABAD (ABN News) – Prominent lawyer Faisal Chaudhry has stated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi cannot be convicted in any of the May 9 cases, as a court in the same city has already acquitted him in one such case.

Speaking during ABN News program “Sawal Se Aagey,” Faisal Chaudhry argued that once acquitted, it is legally untenable to convict Qureshi in a similar case. “The basic principle is that those who claim someone was present at the scene must provide proof. It is not the job of the accused to disprove allegations,” he explained, adding that the prosecution failed to establish Qureshi’s presence or role in any of the May 9 incidents.

He further emphasized that Shah Mehmood Qureshi holds a distinguished political stature and commands respect among both senior and new party workers. “He endured jail time for standing with Imran Khan, and he continues to enjoy the confidence of party leadership. He has the credibility to convince even Imran Khan himself,” said Chaudhry.

Chaudhry asserted that Qureshi should no longer remain in custody and called for his immediate release. He also highlighted a leadership vacuum within PTI, saying, “Our party is facing a leadership crisis, and we believe Qureshi’s release is vital for the party’s future.”

Commenting on the acquittal, he said it was granted because there was no direct evidence against Qureshi, and he was not present at the scene of the events in question. “The responsibility to provide solid evidence lies with the police and prosecution. In this case, their evidence was weak or missing, which led to the court’s decision,” he explained.

Chaudhry also criticized the political nature of many cases, suggesting that several accusations were baseless and made on political grounds, lacking any concrete proof of involvement.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Zahid Khan said that what happened to Shah Mehmood Qureshi is not unusual, pointing to past incidents involving Nawaz Sharif. “Unpredictable things happen in our country,” he said. Referring to the May 9 events, he called them “horrific” and warned against targeting the military establishment. “Political disagreements are normal, but attacking national institutions is not acceptable. Those proven guilty were rightly punished by the courts,” he added.

Zahid Khan stressed that judicial decisions, when made fairly and based on proper evidence, cannot easily be overturned. However, if there are errors, legal review remains an option. He also recalled Nawaz Sharif’s demand to announce his case verdict upon his return, saying, “That didn’t happen either. In our country, unexpected things happen often.”

The May 9 incidents refer to the nationwide protests and violence that erupted following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in 2023. Several PTI leaders, including Qureshi, were arrested and charged in connection with attacks on military and public installations.