ATC Grants Bail to PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Shadman Police Station Arson Case

Qureshi maintains that the cases are politically motivated and that he has no connection to the incidents in question.

By DTD- On Jun 21, 2025

LAHORE : An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has approved the bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the Shadman Police Station arson case related to the events of May 9.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gull granted bail to Qureshi following the completion of arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. The court approved his release on surety bonds worth Rs. 100,000.

Defense counsel Rana Mudassar Umar argued that the charge of conspiracy against Qureshi in connection with the May 9 violence was baseless and not substantiated by evidence. He told the court that Qureshi was in Karachi at the time, attending to his wife’s medical treatment, and questioned the delay in his arrest — which came 13 months after the incident.

“There is no mention of conspiracy in the FIR,” said the counsel, adding that several co-accused in similar cases had already been granted bail. He urged the court to consider the same for Qureshi.

Qureshi also faces a separate case regarding the alleged arson of a police vehicle near Lahore’s Jinnah House during the same unrest. The ATC is expected to deliver its verdict on that bail application on June 26.

The cases, stemming from the widespread protests and violence following PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, include serious charges such as sedition and inciting public disorder.

Qureshi maintains that the cases are politically motivated and that he has no connection to the incidents in question.