The Punjab government has filed a petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the discharge of Dr. Yasmin Rashid, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in a case related to the attack on Jinnah House on May 9. The government contends that the trial court’s decision to release Dr. Rashid contradicts the facts of the case.
According to the petition, the Punjab government seeks to declare the ATC’s order for Dr. Rashid’s release as “null and void,” arguing that she led the mob that attacked the Lahore Corps Commander House (Jinnah House). Previously, Punjab Police Chief Dr. Usman Anwar had claimed that Dr. Rashid was a key planner of the attacks on Jinnah House and the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ), which were allegedly well-planned by PTI leaders.
The police have claimed to have evidence, including call records, indicating Dr. Rashid’s involvement in inciting the mob to attack military installations in Lahore. They also issued a forensic analysis report stating that Dr. Rashid was present outside the Corps Commander House during the attack. Furthermore, the police chief criticized social media influencers associated with the PTI for sharing false reports of female protestors being harassed or mistreated in custody while highlighting that some videos being shared online were from previous years.
Dr. Anwar announced that the police have identified a total of 708 suspects allegedly involved in the attack on Jinnah House, of which 125 have been arrested so far. Another 170 suspected attackers were traced through WhatsApp groups and messages accessed through the mobile phones of those taken into custody.
In response to the developments, PTI leader Hammad Azhar, who has been evading arrest, tweeted that his father, former Punjab governor Mian Muhammad Azhar, 82, was taken away by the police and unidentified individuals to an undisclosed location.
The Punjab government’s challenge to Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s release and the ongoing investigations into the attack on Jinnah House highlights the legal and security implications surrounding the case. The article provides an overview of the government’s stance, supported by the evidence presented by the police, while also highlighting the response from PTI leaders. The matter raises questions about the role of political leaders in such incidents and the importance of a fair and thorough investigation.