An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday dismissed interim bail petitions filed by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub in three separate cases linked to the May 9 violence, citing his absence from court proceedings.
The cases pertain to attacks on key state and military properties during May 9 riots, including the high-profile incidents at Lahore’s Jinnah House and Askari Tower.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul presided over the hearings and noted Ayub’s failure to appear before the court as grounds for rejecting his bail pleas. A request for a one-day exemption from appearance was also denied.
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Ayub, who previously served as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, had secured interim bail in connection with the cases but was required to continue appearing before the court. His non-compliance resulted in the cancellation of his bail.
Last month, the Faisalabad ATC sentenced top PTI leaders, including Ayub, to up to 10 years in prison in cases related to the May 9 protests.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and former MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq were among the 108 PTI leaders convicted out of 185 individuals implicated in the cases.
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On Friday, the National Assembly removed three PTI leaders from key parliamentary positions following the disqualification of several party lawmakers.
Ayub was stripped of his position as Leader of the Opposition, Gul lost her role as Parliamentary Leader, and Ahmad Chattha was removed as Deputy Parliamentary Leader.
The May 9 protests—triggered by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan—led to a series of violent clashes across the country, with several PTI leaders and supporters facing charges under anti-terrorism laws. The state has since moved to prosecute those involved in the attacks on military and public infrastructure.
