Notices issued to 51 accused in May 9 cases

PESHAWAR: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday issued notices to 51 accused, including leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who were booked following the May 9 attacks last year.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Mohammad Iqbal Khan resumed hearing into the cases and issued the notices to the accused to appear before the court on March 7.

Several PTI leaders, including Sher Ali Arbab, Fazal Elahi, Meena Khan and others appeared before the court. The judge issued the notices to 51 other accused and directed them to appear before the court at the next hearing.

The court fixed March 7 for the next hearing into the cases. According to the prosecution, the accused had attacked various government and military installations, including the Bala Hissar Fort, in the limits of Khan Raziq Police Station on May 9 when the PTI workers were staging protests against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The prosecution said that one citizen was also killed in the mayhem.

The police have completed the investigation and the accused are now facing trial. Former provincial minister Kamran Bangash had submitted an application to be exempted from personal hearing, which was accepted. The court adjourned the hearing till March 7.