In a major legal development, a Faisalabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced prominent PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, along with 56 others, to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots. The incident, which included an attack on former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s house, resulted in widespread unrest following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A Faisalabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday sentenced key Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, along with 56 other accused, for their involvement in the violent protests of May 9, 2023. The court acquitted 34 individuals in connection with the attack on former interior minister Rana Sanaullah’s residence during the nationwide unrest.
The riots, sparked by the arrest of PTI’s ex-premier Imran Khan, saw widespread violence with military installations and state-owned properties being targeted. The protests led to the arrest of thousands, including top PTI leadership. The case, registered at Samanabad police station, was heard by Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh, who convicted 59 of the 109 accused individuals.
Legal representatives confirmed that 16 individuals were sentenced to three years in prison, while the remaining 59, including high-profile PTI figures, faced the maximum sentence. In addition to the convictions, PTI leaders such as Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi were acquitted of the charges, along with other political figures like Sheikh Rashid Shafique and Ashraf Khan Sohna.
Reacting to the verdict, Zartaj Gul asserted her innocence, stating that she was not present at the scene of the protest. She claimed that the evidence presented during the trial did not align with the accusations against her, as she was attending events in her Dera Ghazi Khan constituency on the day of the riots. Similarly, Omar Ayub rejected the prosecution’s claims, pointing out that the witnesses’ testimonies were previously dismissed by an ATC in Sargodha.
In the wake of these convictions, the opposition continues to face legal challenges, with over 100 PTI leaders and activists having been handed significant jail terms in various related cases. The Faisalabad court’s decision adds to the growing list of legal battles faced by PTI leadership, which is set to have political ramifications.
The court proceedings are part of a broader effort to address the unrest caused by the May 9 riots, with the judicial system working through a backlog of cases. Notably, a joint investigation team has been tasked with submitting its charge sheet, with further proceedings anticipated as the judicial process moves forward.
