Published on: September 2, 2025 3:34 AM
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has filed appeals in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the sentences handed down in three separate cases related to the May 9 incidents.
The petitioner argued that the anti-terrorism court (ATC) failed to properly assess the facts of the cases and that the verdicts are not supported by evidence.
The high court has been requested to suspend the sentences and order the release of Yasim Rashid until a final decision is made on the appeals.
Dr. Rashid was sentenced to 10 years in prison in each of the three cases related to the attack on Shadman Police Station, the arson near Sherpao Bridge and the burning of vehicles near Jinnah House.
The cases are part of a wider crackdown following the violent protests on May 9, sparked by the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Meanwhile, the hearing of the Toshakhana-II case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and his wife, Bushra Bibi, was postponed on Monday without any proceedings.
The case was scheduled to be heard by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand.
The case had been fixed for hearing inside Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder is currently serving his sentence in another matter. However, instead of holding the proceedings inside the prison as previously announced, the court decided to shift the case back to the Judicial Complex in Islamabad.
On the given date, no proceedings took place, and the court adjourned the hearing until September 5.
The Toshakhana-II case is one of several cases currently pending against the PTI founder and his spouse. It relates to allegations of misusing official gifts and failing to properly declare them in official records.
The Court officials explained that the change in venue and the decision to adjourn had been made for administrative reasons.
Separately, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) of Islamabad in Monday once again summoned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who were absent from proceedings in the October 4 protest case.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra issued the notices after no worker appeared before the court during the latest hearing.
During the proceedings, defense lawyers informed the court that the party workers, all of whom belong to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), could not attend due to weather conditions in the province. The court, however, issued fresh summons for their appearance and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
The case is connected to the protest held in Islamabad on October 4, during which PTI leaders and workers were booked at Kohsar police station. Several senior party figures, including PTI founder, Ali Amin Gandapur, Barrister Saif, and Omar Ayub, are also nominated in the case.
So far, the investigation report (challan) has only been submitted against PTI workers, while proceedings against the named leaders remain pending. The charges involve their alleged role in organizing and participating in the protest, which led to the registration of the case under anti-terrorism provisions.
