May 9 case: ATC informed no evidence exists against KP chief minister

LAHORE: A special prosecutor informed an anti-terrorism court (ATC) that there was no evidence against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister in a May 9 case, defending the decision not to include the names of PTI leaders in a supplementary challan.

Prosecutor defends supplementary challan

The special prosecutor appeared before the anti-terrorism court and justified the move to exclude PTI leaders' names from the supplementary challan filed in connection with a May 9 case. The prosecutor told the court that no evidence had been found against the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, providing grounds for his exclusion from the supplementary charge sheet.

The development comes as part of the ongoing legal proceedings related to the May 9, 2023 incidents, when violent protests erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Several military installations, government buildings and public properties were attacked during the unrest, leading to a large number of cases being registered against PTI leaders and workers.

PTI leaders and May 9 cases

Multiple PTI leaders have faced legal proceedings in connection with the May 9 violence cases. The supplementary challan in the present case notably did not include the names of certain PTI leaders, prompting questions about the prosecution's approach. The special prosecutor addressed these concerns before the ATC, maintaining that the decision was based on the available evidence — or the lack thereof — against the individuals in question.

The anti-terrorism court was told that the prosecution had reviewed the evidence on record and determined that there was insufficient material to implicate the KP chief minister in the case. The prosecutor's stance effectively defended the exclusion of his name from the supplementary challan.

Proceedings continue

The May 9 cases have remained a significant legal and political issue in Pakistan, with courts across the country hearing matters related to the violence that took place on that day. Numerous accused individuals, including political figures and party workers, have been facing trial in anti-terrorism courts in connection with these cases.

The ATC is expected to continue hearing the case as proceedings move forward. The prosecution's position that no evidence links the KP chief minister to the case marks a notable development in the broader May 9 legal saga, which has seen a wide range of charges filed against PTI-affiliated individuals across multiple jurisdictions.