Seditious Speech And Rioting On May 9: Asad Umar's Bail Cancelled

Court directs investigation officer to record former federal minister's statement

Seditious Speech And Rioting On May 9: Asad Umar's Bail Cancelled

An anti-terror court in Lahore on Saturday cancelled the bail of former federal minister and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar after he failed to submit surety bonds within the narrow window specified by the court.

The court also ordered investigators to record Umar's statement in the Askari Tower attack and Shadman Police Station arson cases. 

Lahore Anti-Terror Court Judge Abhar Gull Khan on Saturday heard an application filed by Asad Umar to extend his bail in six cases relating to riots and violence on May 9.

During the hearing, the judge asked whether Umar's statement had been recorded. When the investigation officer responded negatively, the court directed the officer to immediately do that and submit a report to the court.

The investigation officer directed the court's attention to the fact that Umar had failed to submit the surety bond thus far.

At this, the court directed Umar to submit the bond by noon, or his bail would stand cancelled.

Meanwhile, the court also discharged Umar in five cases after the police told the court that he was not a person of interest in these cases. The cases included those registered with the Race Course, Gulberg and Sarwar Road police stations relating to rioting on May 9, 2023.

Umar then recorded his statement in the Jinnah House attack case. 

However, his bail was cancelled in a case of seditious speech against state institutions on Sherpao Bridge in Lahore, apart from arson and rioting. 

The bail was cancelled after Umar failed to pay the Rs100,000 surety bond within the short period identified by the court.