On Thursday, a challan was brought to an anti-terrorism court in LAHORE, naming former prime minister Imran Khan as the primary culprit in 11 counts related to the May 9 riots.
The challan names the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader and other party leaders as the main suspects in vandalism cases at the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower, Shadman Police Station, and Sherpao Bridge that occurred during nationwide protests after Imran’s arrest on May 9 by the paramilitary Rangers.
The challan names a number of people, including PTI chief Imran, founding party member and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, former provincial ministers Mian Mehmoodur Rashid and Dr Yasmeen Rashid, fashion designer Khadija Shah, and Sanam Javed.
On May 9th, Imran was taken into custody after appearing in court for hearings in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Protests erupted across the country after his detention, with rioters setting fire to cars and damaging government and military buildings.
The government’s response was to cut off internet and cell service for four days, which had a devastating effect on the flow of information and the country’s economic activities.
Since then, the state has arrested thousands of PTI officials and members, the vast majority of them are from the province of Punjab. At least 102 suspects are currently being held in military custody pending trials under the Pakistan Army Act read with the Official Secrets Act, both of which were amended earlier this year, and many more remain in prison, including the prime accused in the challan submitted today (Thursday).
On May 11 the PTI leader was freed after the Supreme Court ruled that his illegal detention by the paramilitary force. On August 5, he was arrested again after being found guilty in the Toshakhana case by a municipal court in Islamabad, effectively ruining his chances of running in the forthcoming general elections.
With over 150 open cases, he remains incarcerated.
The challan for the arson assault on Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi’s police car was also turned in on Thursday by the police.
