Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the May 9 riots shortly after being granted bail in 11 related cases, including the GHQ attack case. The arrest came after the court had reserved judgment on bail requests for 24 individuals, including three PTI candidates and Rashid. Interim bail was also approved for former deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi and other PTI workers linked to the riots. Rashid’s bail was granted on the condition of paying a surety bond of Rs100,000.
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Advocate Sardar Abdul Razzaq, Rashid’s lawyer, had earlier stated that bail was confirmed in two cases, with decisions for the remaining 10 cases expected shortly. Interim bail was anticipated for the remaining cases due to similar allegations and evidence. The court expressed displeasure over the lack of case records presented by the prosecution and directed authorities to complete the investigation and submit the records by the next date.
During the proceedings, Rashid took an oath on the Holy Quran, denying involvement in the events of May 9. The ATC judge remarked that making a statement on the Holy Quran in court was inappropriate. Rashid’s counsel argued that the prosecution lacked evidence against his client, claiming that Rashid’s name was included in the cases without a basis.
Rashid and his nephew Rashid Shafique were implicated in 12 cases related to the May 9 riots, involving attacks on state installations following the arrest of then-PTI chairman Imran Khan. The attacks targeted the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the corps commander’s house in Lahore. The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings are part of the investigation into the incidents.
