May 9 riots: ATC convicts 108 PTI workers, hands 10-year sentences to key leaders

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad on Thursday sentenced 108 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers to prison in connection with the May 9 riots cases.

Among those handed the 10-year sentence are Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Shibli Faraz, and Sunni Ittehad Council leader Hamid Raza.

According to reports, the court convicted 108 out of 185 accused individuals, while 58 were specifically sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Prominent PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi were acquitted by the court.

The cases pertain to an attack on a military installation on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Check: ECP disqualifies three PTI lawmakers over May 9 convictions

In the May 9 case registered at Ghulam Muhammad Abad police station, eight out of 66 accused were acquitted, while 58 others were sentenced to 10 years in prison each by the ATC.

Earlier this week, the ATC had also sentenced several prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. Ahmed Chatha, Ahmed Khan Bhachar, Dr Yasmin Rashid, and Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, to 10 years in jail in connection with the same case.

It is worth mentioning that the Supreme Court had directed all anti-terrorism courts to complete proceedings in the May 9-related cases and deliver verdicts within a given timeframe. The deadline set by the apex court is set to expire next month.

Meanwhile, in a separate case linked to the November 26 protest, the Islamabad ATC has issued arrest warrants for 50 PTI leaders. The warrants were issued by ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain.

Also read: Imran Khan moves SC against LHC bail cancellation order in May 9 cases

The list includes senior party figures such as Arif Alvi, Ali Amin Gandapur, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, Atif Khan, Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Shibli Faraz, Faisal Javed, and Salman Akram Raja.

Arrest warrants have also been issued for Aleema Khanum, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Kanwal Shauzab, Shandana Gulzar, and Sher Afzal Marwat.

According to reports, 41 arrest warrants were issued today, while warrants for nine PTI leaders had already been issued earlier.