In Islamabad, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Punjab government during a hearing on Friday concerning bail applications from individuals accused of vandalizing state and army properties following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
The three-member bench, led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and including Justice Mussarat Hilali and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, also summoned records of the case for review.
Also Read: Imran Declares Election Result Buries ‘May 9 Narrative’
During the proceedings, Justice Mandokhail inquired about the extent of damage caused to properties by the accused, whether weapons were recovered from them, and how many charges were pressed against them.
The lawyer representing the accused responded that they faced charges under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and when asked, confirmed that they were also charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
Justice Hilali noted that while the incident occurred on May 9, the FIR was lodged on May 10. The lawyer for the accused claimed that those involved were not affiliated with any political party but were shopkeepers. Justice Rizvi observed that the accused were identified through CCTV footage.
The lawyer for the accused requested the court to obtain the complete record of the case after issuing a notice. The court granted the request and adjourned the proceedings indefinitely.
