LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Court has issued arrest warrants for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf activist Sanam Javed in connection with the May 9 riots case.
The court rejected Javed’s request for exemption from appearing in court, opting instead to issue bailable arrest warrants. Former MNA Rubina Jamil and Ayesha Ali Bhutta also sought exemptions from appearance, but their requests were denied. However, since they appeared in person, no arrest warrants were issued for them.
The court expressed frustration over delays in the trial caused by the absences of some accused individuals. It has ordered that the accused, including Sanam Javed, be presented in court for the next hearing to avoid further delays.
Previously, the Punjab government had challenged the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision to acquit Sanam Javed in the same case. In a plea filed at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry, the Punjab government argued that there is substantial evidence linking Javed to the riots in Gujranwala on May 9, 2023.
The LHC bench, consisting of Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, had ruled on July 10 to acquit Javed of charges related to the May 9 violence, which was initially reported by the Gujranwala Cantonment Police. Following this decision, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) also became involved, ordering Javed’s release after multiple arrests and re-arrests.
The IHC, led by Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzaib, had further directed that Javed be protected from arrest in any other case until July 16. This series of legal maneuvers reflects the ongoing complexities and high-profile nature of the case involving PTI activists and the political unrest from May 9.
As the legal proceedings continue, the court’s decisions and the involvement of various judicial bodies underscore the contentious and evolving nature of the legal battles surrounding the riots and the individuals implicated.
