In the case involving the May 9 riots, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday extended the interim bails for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar and the sisters of the former prime minister Imran Khan.
Asad Umar and the sisters of the PTI chief’s interim bail pleas were heard by ATC Judge Arshad Javed in relation to the May 9 violence and riots. In court, Asad Umar made an appearance.
The police neglected to provide a copy of the case file to the court during the proceedings. Umar's lawyer informed the court that his client has already joined investigations. He asked could they know what progress had been made so far in the case.
According to the public prosecutor, the investigating officer had a heart attack and was unable to provide the court with the case file. In response, Umar's lawyer stated that they were using the same justifications in other cases, adding that they should be required to present the case record at the next hearing date.
On the following hearing date for closing arguments in the case, the court called the lawyers from both parties. The court later extended the interim bails for Umar, the sisters of the PTI chairman, and others till October 31.
While speaking to journalists outside the anti-terrorism court, Asad Umar said that elections should take place as soon as feasible.
He said that elections should be open to Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan, with the rest being up to the people. He said that remaining silent on the Palestine crisis would not be advantageous to the government. Pakistan should speak out in support of Palestinians and Kashmiri innocents, he added.
According to Umar, an inevitable result of petroleum products' low pricing on the global market was a drop in their prices. The cut in petroleum prices would only help the public if other costs for goods and transportation also declined, he said.
He said that PTI was not permitted to conduct a rally, and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was aware of everything. He said PTI’s plea seeking permission to hold a rally was in court. All political parties should be permitted to hold rallies, which is the only fair and just way, he added.