May 9: Fawad Chaudry slams PTI, judiciary after ATC hearing

LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore heard the interim bail applications of former federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Omar Ayub, regarding May 9 arson and siege cases.

The ATC had summoned the investigation report and lawyers from the police for arguments. ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul presided over the hearing, which involved multiple cases, including arson and sieges outside Rahat Bakery, Zaman Park, and other locations in the provincial capital.

Five separate cases of burning police vehicles in Mughalpura, Zaman Park, and near Jinnah House were also part of the proceedings.

The prosecution claimed that Fawad Chaudhry incited workers to engage in the arson and sieges. Chaudhry has filed bail applications for three cases involving the burning of police vans near Jinnah House and two cases involving police vehicles burned in Mughalpura and Zaman Park.

After hearing arguments of the prosecution and from Fawad Chaudhry’s counsel, his interim bail was extended until September 26.

Speaking to the media outside the ATC, Chaudhry criticised the current political situation, saying that the judiciary is under pressure and that the political system has failed the people. He said that Pakistani people are being squeezed between a tyrannical government and an incompetent opposition, adding, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership goes to jail, has food and returns while the common party worker is getting crushed, not knowing how long will this continue”.

He said that the ongoing uncertainty in Pakistan has increased the gap between the public and the government, and that political cases like these reflect deeper issues within the system. “In such circumstances, any single incident can act as a spark,” he added.

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