LAHORE: Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court on Friday extended interim bail until February 13 for several notable individuals, including Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, Azam Swati, and Fawad Chaudhry, in connection with cases stemming from the arson and violence incidents of May 9.
The proceedings were overseen by Special Anti-Terrorism Court judges Arshad Javed and Manzar Ali Gul.
Former federal minister Asad Umar appeared before the court following the expiration of his previous interim bail period.
Legal representatives for Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Fawad Chaudhry submitted applications requesting exemptions from their clients’ personal appearances. The court approved these requests for Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, while granting Azam Swati and Fawad Chaudhry a one-day appearance exemption.
Other individuals, including Jamshed Cheema, Musarrat Jamshed, and Sheikh Imtiaz, also appeared in court. Their interim bails were similarly extended until February 13, with the court summoning their counsels to present arguments in the upcoming session.
Later, speaking to the media, Asad Umar voiced his support for Shah Mahmood Qureshi, asserting his innocence in five cases.
He remarked that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has demonstrated its standing as a political entity, while criticizing the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) for losing its political relevance. He argued that the PML-N did not come to power via public votes; otherwise, it would have been attentive to the nation’s pressing issues.
On regional matters, Umar highlighted the gravity of the situation in Iran, acknowledging Pakistan’s commendable role in fostering positive engagements with its neighbor.
Reiterating his belief in democracy as the only viable path forward for Pakistan, he emphasized the need for all stakeholders to reconvene and draft a renewed charter of democracy.
