Shortly after being released from Kot Lakhpat Jail, four PTI female activists, Sanam Javed, Afshan Tariq, Ashmia Shujah, and Shah Bano Gorchani, were promptly re-arrested. These activists, previously detained for disturbances following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, faced immediate rearrest related to an FIR at Sarwar Road Police Station. Despite their release by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore, sources hinted at the possibility of subsequent arrests for the women.
Legal Tussle and May 9 Aftermath
The prosecution is gearing up to challenge the bail granted to individuals allegedly involved in the Jinnah House attack. Out of 63 accused, the ATC granted post-arrest bail to nine but dismissed pleas for 39. The Sarwar Road police registered an FIR for the disturbances on May 9, including an attack on Jinnah House. The situation escalated when sedition provisions were added to all suspects’ challans, linking the PTI chairman to the May 9 chaos. This move heightened the case’s gravity, suggesting Imran Khan incited his activists against the state.
The PTI faced significant scrutiny following the May 9 events, where they allegedly vandalized public properties and attacked significant sites in Lahore and Rawalpindi. This unrest ensued after the PTI chief’s arrest regarding the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. The subsequent crackdown on PTI leaders and activists was severe, with the military referring to May 9 as a “dark chapter.” The decision to try protesters under military laws received support from top security panels, setting a stringent tone for forthcoming legal proceedings.
