Zartaj Gul breaks down in tears seeking apology over May 9 riots

• PTI leader Zartaj Gul appeals to PHC chief justice to grant her bail.
• "I want to contest polls, it is my right to represent DG Khan."
• Gul faces allegations of attacking Gujranwala Cantonment on May 9.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zartaj Gul on Wednesday broke into tears while apologising for her alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, fearing arrest by police from the court premises.

Speaking to journalists at the Peshawar High Court, as she appeared before the PHC for the hearing of her plea for a transit bail, the former climate change minister apologised over riots that erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, during which protesters targeted and vandalised security installations.

The politician, who hails from Punjab’s Dera Ghazi Khan, refused to leave the court premises until the approval of her bail plea, expressing fears that the police might arrest her if she went outside.

The police reportedly deployed additional contingents including six more female police officials outside the court, and Ababeel Squad personnel patrolled outside. 

Gul, talking to journalists, said that she felt like fighting a war instead of contesting general elections as heavy contingents of police force were deployed outside the court to arrest her.

The politico asked her voters not to be worried over the tense environment as she was standing firmly and fearlessly with her ideology. She pinned hopes on the judiciary for providing her justice. 

Gul said that her nomination papers were rejected by the election commission. The staffers of the election commission were taken hostage in DG Khan.

“Imad Tahir was arrested from the same court this morning and now the forces are present outside to arrest me," Gul said, stressing that she should be granted bail as she has personally appeared and "surrendered" before the court.

"I have not committed any crime. I am just standing with my ideology and I only want to contest polls, which is my right to represent DG Khan," she added, appealing to the lawyers, PHC chief justice, and bar to give her "justice" and order police to refrain from arresting her. She also requested the legal fraternity to take a stand for the rule of law.

Earlier, some female cops reached PHC’s bar room in an apparent bid to arrest the PTI leader. However, the members of the Insaf Lawyers Forum resisted their attempt. The bar room was then locked after media persons and cops asked to leave.

Gul among 51 other PTI leaders including Murad Saeed, Ali Amin Gandapur, Hammad Azhar, and Omar Ayub face charges in a case related to the attack on Gujranwala Cantt on May 9.

An anti-terrorism court had issued directives to seize the properties of the said politicians.