The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore, led by Judge Manzoor Ali Gul, rejected the bail plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan about eight cases tied to the May 9 riots, including high-profile attacks on Jinnah House and Askari Tower, among other charges.
This ruling follows the recent filing of seven new cases against former first lady Bushra Bibi, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur, and other PTI leaders in Attock following the November 24 ‘do-or-die’ protest.
Authorities booked Bushra Bibi, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, former President Arif Alvi, and other PTI lawmakers under 23 different sections at three police stations in Attock. These charges include terrorism, attempted murder, and vandalism, stemming from allegations of seizing tear gas, anti-riot kits, and mobile phones from police during the protest.
Currently, Bushra Bibi faces scrutiny for reportedly rejecting the government’s proposal to move the PTI protest to Sangjani, a relocation that Imran Khan had reportedly agreed to.
Read: PTI Protests Continue Under Imran Khan’s Leadership, Says CM Gandapur
In a recent interview with ARY News on ‘Bakhbar Savera’, PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai expressed his concerns over internal party coordination. He criticized the leadership’s decision-making, noting, “Ali Amin Gandapur became a scapegoat, and from Peshawar to Islamabad, no leader was visible.”
Yousafzai also questioned the party’s strategies and communication, particularly why the protest shifted to D-Chowk instead of Sangjani as initially planned. “Everyone agreed on Sangjani except for Bushra Bibi,” he remarked, underscoring her influential yet unofficial role within the party.
He criticized the absence of key leaders like General Secretary Salman Akram Raja and voiced frustration over experienced members being sidelined in decision-making. Reflecting on the treatment of party workers, Yousafzai said, “What happened with our workers is deeply saddening. At least Ali Amin Gandapur stayed with the sit-in. Where were the big talkers then?”
