In a landmark ruling, a special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad has sentenced several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Senator Shibli Faraz, and PTI leader Zartaj Gul, to 10 years in prison each for their involvement in the May 9, 2023 violence. The court sentenced a total of 108 individuals in connection with the disturbances that erupted after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The ATC in Faisalabad delivered its verdict on Thursday, sentencing key PTI figures to 10 years in prison for their roles in the violent protests that occurred on May 9, 2023. The violence followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan and led to widespread protests across Pakistan. The attacks targeted military installations, government properties, and other key sites, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, also known as Jinnah House.
Among those sentenced were Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, prominent PTI leaders who have been vocal opponents of the current government. The court handed down similar sentences to 108 individuals of the 185 accused in the case. This includes Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) leader MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who also received a 10-year prison term.
The court’s ruling also acquitted several prominent figures, including former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro. They were released from the charges linked to the May 9 violence, as were others named in separate cases.
The May 9 riots, which were triggered by Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court, had already led to a wave of arrests, with many PTI leaders and workers still in custody. The PTI has been embroiled in a legal battle, with several of its members receiving prison sentences in relation to the unrest.
In another related case at the Ghulam Muhammadabad Police Station, the court sentenced 60 individuals, with seven acquitted. Junaid Afzal Sahi, another key figure in the violence, was handed a three-year prison term.
Reacting to the verdict, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed strong discontent, stating that the party leaders have been unfairly sentenced in consecutive rulings. He voiced concerns that these decisions could undermine democracy in Pakistan, adding that public trust in the judiciary has been shaken.
The verdicts come after several other PTI leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, were also sentenced to 10 years in the same case. The series of convictions has escalated the party’s legal challenges, which coincide with its ongoing anti-government campaign.
The May 9 violence, also known as the May 9 mayhem, followed Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges. His detention triggered violent protests across the country, with widespread attacks on state and military institutions. These protests have continued to shape the political discourse in Pakistan, with PTI’s leaders and supporters calling for Khan’s release and greater political reforms.
