LAHORE: The Lahore High Court granted bail to fashion designer Khadija Shah and six co-accused in the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attack case on Wednesday.
Among those granted bail today are Usman Sharif, Muhammad Shehbaz, Suleman Qadri, Faiz Ahmed, and Arbaz Khan.
A division bench, led by Justice Aalia Neelum and including Justice Asjad Javed Ghural, delivered the verdict that had been reserved on October 12.
During last week’s proceedings, Justice Neelum inquired if Khadija was named in the FIRs.
Special prosecutor Syed Farhad Ali Shah admitted that she was not named in the FIRs but was “identified by the prosecution witnesses in an identity parade.”
He accused her of inciting people against the state and chanting objectionable slogans during violent protests on May 9, posting videos and photos of the protests on social media.
The judges questioned the illegality of her statements, asking if it was wrong to allege that the dignity of mothers and sisters is not protected. Justice Neelum sought video evidence proving that the accused vandalized and torched Askari Tower in Gulberg.
Advocate Farhad couldn’t provide an answer and claimed that it was not the prosecution’s case against the petitioner. He argued that she incited the public, leading to the riots and attacks on May 9.
Justice Neelum noted that holding protests on the call of a political leader was a societal norm. “The government cannot prevent people from holding peaceful protests,” she remarked.
Khadija Shah’s counsel, Advocate Sameer Khosa, argued that the police arrested her without evidence and purely on political grounds.
Meanwhile, the court approved bail for accused Rubina Khan and Qasim against bail bonds of Rs100,000 each.
