RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday discharged former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi in 12 cases related to May 9, 2023, riots.

The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Malik Ejaz Asif at a makeshift court in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. The hearing was also attended by investigation officers of the May 9 cases.

At the outset of the hearing, defence counsels gave arguments regarding Bushra's physical remand, whereas, the wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder was represented by her counsel Salman Safdar and Advocate Malik Faisal.

However, the ATC judge rejected the Rawalpindi Police's plea seeking phycial remand of the former first lady in the May 9 cases.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court decided to discharge Bushra in the cases.

Speaking to media outside the Central Jail Rawalpindi, Bushra's lawyer Safdar claimed that the court acquitted her in all cases in which she was nominated in light of different statements.

He added that the court also rejected the prosecution's evidence during today's hearing and rejected the credibility of any statement from a co-accused.

The lawyer said that the PTI founder was given a clean chit in the cipher case, however, a detailed verdict has not been issued yet.

Commenting on the ATC's verdict, he said that four prosecutors from the state appeared in today's hearing. Safdar said that the government reserved right to challenge the ATC verdict in any court.

More to follow...