FAISALABAD / LAHORE : In a significant development, special anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in Faisalabad and Lahore have sentenced several top leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to ten years in prison over their involvement in the May 9, 2023, violent protests that erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The Faisalabad ATC sentenced PTI leaders including Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Senator Shibli Faraz, Parliamentary Leader Zartaj Gul, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the Sunni Ittehad Council to 10 years imprisonment each for their alleged role in an attack on a sensitive institution. Out of 185 accused in the case registered at Civil Lines police station, 108 were convicted, while 77 were acquitted.
Another PTI member, Junaid Afzal Sahi, received a 3-year sentence. Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and lawmakers Zain Qureshi and Khayal Kastro were among those acquitted.
In a separate verdict in a case registered at Ghulam Muhammadabad police station, the court sentenced 60 individuals while acquitting 7 others. Additionally, in a related case involving the torching of a police van, 28 out of 32 accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed anti-terrorism courts to conclude all May 9-related cases before a set deadline, which expires next month. Strict security was maintained at all court premises during the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Lahore’s ATC, in a verdict delivered at Kot Lakhpat Jail, handed 10-year prison terms to eight senior PTI leaders including Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema. The case was related to arson and incitement of violence on Sherpao Bridge. Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
The trial was held under heavy security, and 61 witnesses were presented by the prosecution. The ATC was acting under the Supreme Court’s order to conclude all related trials within four months.
Reacting to the judgments, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan addressed a press conference alongside Asad Qaiser and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. He condemned the verdicts, calling July 30 a “sad day for democracy,” and announced that PTI would soon decide whether to boycott the parliament or launch a protest movement.
“Our mandate has been stolen, our leaders jailed, and justice denied. We tried to uphold democratic norms, but continued oppression has pushed us against the wall,” said Gohar. He emphasized that six PTI MNAs, three MPAs, one senator, and the party’s parliamentary leadership in both houses have now been sentenced — which, according to him, indicates a broader political crackdown.
The May 9 incidents involved violent attacks on government and military properties nationwide, following the dramatic arrest of Imran Khan. Dozens of terrorism-related FIRs were filed across Pakistan, including in Faisalabad and Lahore.
