Shah Mahmood Qureshi Requests Open Trial in May 9 Riot Cases

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the former Pakistan foreign minister and senior leader of Imran Khan's PTI party, seeks an open trial in an anti-terrorism court concerning the May 9 riot cases. Qureshi is accused of abetting an attack on a Shadman police station and calls for transparency in the proceedings.

Former Pakistan foreign minister and senior opposition politician Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for an open trial in an anti-terrorism court related to the May 9 riot cases.

Qureshi, a prominent leader of the detained ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI party, faces charges of abetment to an attack on the Shadman police station after Khan's arrest on May 9. He denies all the charges but has been indicted.

The Punjab police recently transferred Qureshi to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, and he was presented before the Anti-Terrorism Court for a hearing held at Kot Lakhpat Jail. The ATC-I Lahore Judge Khalid Arshad instructed the defense lawyers to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, primarily policemen, in the Shadman police station attack case.

During the hearing, Qureshi, who serves as PTI's vice-chairman, urged the court to allow an open trial, citing it as his fundamental right. He argued the public deserves to know the allegations and evidence against him and other suspects in these cases.

(With inputs from agencies.)