Shah Mahmood Qureshi Shifted to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail for Trial

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been transferred to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. This move follows permission granted by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore. The decision was made by ATC-I Lahore Judge Khalid Arshad, based on an application filed by DIG operations, according to a court official.

Qureshi, who also serves as the vice-chairman of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was indicted last Monday for his involvement in the May 9 riots. Despite the charges, Qureshi, aged 68, has denied any wrongdoing. The police argued that transporting Qureshi frequently between Rawalpindi and Lahore was impractical for both the authorities and Qureshi, who had complained of fever.

May 9 Riots and Legal Proceedings

The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a corruption case involving £190 million. Qureshi is accused of abetment in the attack on Shadman police station in Lahore during these riots. The Lahore police have registered multiple cases against PTI leaders and activists for their alleged involvement in attacking and burning the Shadman police station.

Qureshi’s lawyer had requested that he attend court proceedings via video link from Adiala Jail. However, the judge decided that transferring him to Kot Lakhpat Jail would be more suitable for the trial process. Besides this case, several other cases related to the May 9 violence have been filed against Qureshi in Lahore alone.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

Qureshi has been imprisoned since he and Imran Khan were sentenced to 10 years in jail for violating Pakistan's Official Secrets Act by making a diplomatic cable public during Khan's tenure as prime minister. However, on June 3, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted both Khan and Qureshi in the Cipher case, suspending their 10-year sentences. Despite this acquittal, they remain incarcerated due to their involvement in multiple cases linked to the May 9 violence.

The May 9 riots saw widespread violence and attacks on military installations across Pakistan. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were arrested for their roles in these incidents, which included attacks on Jinnah House, ISI building in Faisalabad, and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Imran Khan is currently facing over 200 cases and has been jailed since August last year. The widespread unrest following his arrest led to significant legal actions against many PTI members, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

The transfer of Qureshi to Kot Lakhpat Jail aims to facilitate smoother legal proceedings as he faces multiple charges related to the May 9 riots. This move is expected to ease logistical challenges and ensure better management of his trial.