LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – The trial in the May 9 attack case involving Club Chowk and the GOR Gate has been completed at Kot Lakhpat Jail, with all accused recording their final statements before the court.
The proceedings were held inside the jail premises, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Yasmin Rashid, along with the remaining defendants, formally submitted their concluding statements.
The case was heard by Lahore’s Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Manzar Ali Gul, who presided over the final phase of the trial. A total of 33 accused appeared before the court and completed the required legal process. The court is expected to announce its verdict on the case on Friday.
During the hearing, the prosecution confirmed that the statements of all 41 prosecution witnesses had already been recorded and that cross-examination had been completed. Following this stage, the court directed defence counsel to conclude their final arguments during the next hearing, paving the way for the announcement of the judgment.
The case relates to the attack that took place on May 9 at Club Chowk near the GOR Gate, which was among several incidents reported on that day. The trial was shifted to Kot Lakhpat Jail due to security considerations, with multiple hearings conducted within the jail compound.
Among those named in the case are senior political figures, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry and Umar Sarfraz Cheema, along with several others. Court records show that during the course of the trial, four of the nominated accused were declared proclaimed offenders after repeatedly failing to appear before the court.
The anti-terrorism court has been overseeing the case for several months, during which the prosecution presented its evidence and witness testimonies. With final statements now on record and arguments nearing completion, the legal process has reached its decisive stage, as the court prepares to deliver its ruling in one of the prominent May 9-related cases.