On Wednesday, a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court formally charged 32 individuals, including prominent PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, and Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, in connection with the May 9 incident involving the alleged arson attack on the PML-N office in Model Town.
The charges stem from nationwide protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers during a corruption case. As protests unfolded, videos emerged showing widespread rioting and vandalism at locations such as the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
In response, a crackdown on PTI leaders and supporters was initiated, with numerous cases filed across Lahore against PTI members for damaging public and private property, including army facilities.
The accused individuals, including Rashid, denied the charges during the court proceedings. The court has scheduled the hearing of prosecution witnesses for January 23.
PTI social media activist Sanam Javed also attended court to fulfill her attendance requirement.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Yasmin Rashid criticized the PPP leadership for not adhering to Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani’s production orders for Senator Ejaz Chaudhry. She expressed disappointment that President Asif Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were not respecting the Senate’s authority, accusing them of undermining the sanctity of the upper house.
Rashid also alleged that the government was suppressing PTI through military courts, the imprisonment of their workers, and a climate of fear stifling the media. She further claimed that the government was disregarding Senate Chairman’s orders and that her party was being targeted through the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Having been imprisoned for over a year and a half, Rashid has faced multiple charges related to the May 9 riots. Initially detained on May 12, 2023, under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, she was later arrested for her alleged role in the protests.
In a separate development, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, who has been in jail for 18 months, was granted a production order to attend the Senate session earlier this week. This was not the first time such an order had been issued for Chaudhry, who was previously unable to attend a session in March 2023 due to his imprisonment at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.
