Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML) and a close associate of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, was given interim bail by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Monday in connection with a case related to the violent events of May 9.
The former Minister of Interior was granted bail upon the submission of surety bonds amounting to Rs50,000 in a case registered with the Waris Khan Police Station in Rawalpindi.
The May 9 disturbances erupted across the country following the arrest of the deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan in a £190 million settlement case. Numerous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members and senior leaders were incarcerated due to their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.
During the protests, rioters targeted both civilian and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military referred to May 9 as the "Black Day" and decided to prosecute the protesters under the Army Act.
After a month-long disappearance, Khan's close associate reappeared on October 20 and subsequently sought clemency for "ordinary citizens" implicated in the May 9 incidents.
At the outset of today's court session, Rashid appeared in court with his attorney, Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan. During the proceedings, Rashid's counsel argued that there was no evidence linking his client to the violent protests and events of May 9.
In response, the court approved his interim bail and instructed him to provide surety bonds of Rs50,000.
Meanwhile, ATC judge Justice Malik Ejaz Asif inquired about Sheikh Rashid's health, to which he responded that he had lost 31kg of weight during a 40-day isolation.
The court also granted bail to Sheikh Rashid Shafique, his nephew, in the May 9 violence case until November 8.
