Punjab Assembly opposition leader sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha has sentenced Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists to 10 years in prison each in a case pertaining to the May 9, 2023 riots.

Ahmed Khan Bachar was not present in court when the ATC judge announced the order.

All 32 accused, including Bachar, were previously granted exemption from personal appearance by the court.

The case, registered in Mianwali, pertains to vandalism and rioting during the party's protests against the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in a corruption case.

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The conviction came amidst legal troubles facing PTI as the party continues to grapple with the fallout from the May 9 unrest, during which military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, were attacked by protesters.