Independent Report
Lahore: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has extended interim bail until February 13 for several political figures facing cases related to the May 9 unrest. Those granted relief include Alima Khan, Uzma Khan, Azam Swati, and Fawad Chaudhry, among others.
The hearings were conducted by judges Arshad Javed and Manzar Ali Gul. Former federal minister Asad Umar appeared before the court after the expiry of his interim bail, while lawyers for other accused submitted applications seeking exemption from personal appearance, which were approved.
Several co-accused were present during the proceedings, and the court directed legal counsels to present detailed arguments at the next hearing. Speaking to the media afterward, Asad Umar said Shah Mahmood Qureshi was innocent in multiple cases and criticized political victimization.
He also stressed that democracy remains the only viable solution to Pakistan’s political challenges and called for renewed political consensus. Umar praised Pakistan’s diplomatic handling of regional tensions and urged institutional stability through constitutional and democratic means.
