Qureshi reindicted in Askari Tower attack, May 9 vandalism cases

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has indicted former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi along with other accused in the May 9 attack on Askari Tower and arson of Shadman police. Charged again. Station ATC Admin Judge Manzar Ali Gul on Monday heard the cases related to the May 9 riots at Kot Lakhpat Jail. During the hearing, the fire case was heard in Shadman police station.A new charge sheet was filed against the new accused, the court ordered to reframe the charges against all the accused including Qureshi. It is to be noted that this conclusion was reached by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) investigating the May 9 incidents as per the channel report on 26 June 2024. That Shah Mehmood Qureshi incited violence through social media. The report also includes a forensic analysis of the videos uploaded by Qureshi and claims that he gave conflicting statements during the same.Interrogation at Adiala Jail polyforensic test further revealed that he was not truthful during the investigation. The JIT submitted its challan to the court, highlighting Qureshi’s role in encouraging rioters to target sensitive installations like Jinnah House. On 15 July 2024, Qureshi was charged in a separate case of vandalism. ATC judge Khalid Arshad issued a schedule for further proceedings of the case while summoning the witnesses.Following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the corruption case, PTI supporters across the country targeted public and state properties, including sensitive military installations. The riots caused a lot of damage and left a trail of destruction.