ATC acquits Shah Mahmood, convicts Yasmin Rashid in May 9 case

LAHORE (Dunya News) - An anti-terrorism court has announced its verdict in another May 9 case.

During the trial held at Kot Lakhpat Jail, the ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill had reserved the verdict in the case involving the burning of a government vehicle near Jinnah House which was pronounced later.

The court acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the third arson and rioting case. However, Yasmin Rashid and Ijaz Chaudhry were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each, while Khadija Shah was sentenced to five years.

The court also sentenced Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed and Umar Sarfraz Cheema to 10 years each. Rubina Jamil and Afshan Tariq, involved in the case, were acquitted.

It should be noted that previously, the Anti-Terrorism Court had acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the May 9 Sherpao Bridge arson and rioting case, while Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, and other accused were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each. 

Previously, PTI leader and former Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid filed appeals in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the sentences handed down in three separate cases related to the May 9 incidents.

The petitioner argued that the ATC failed to properly assess the facts of the cases and that the verdicts are not supported by evidence.

The high court has been requested to suspend the sentences and order the release of Yasim Rashid until a final decision is made on the appeals.

Dr Rashid was sentenced to 10 years in prison in each of the three cases related to the attack on Shadman Police Station, the arson near Sherpao Bridge and the burning of vehicles near Jinnah House.