Major Sentencing for PTI Leaders: 47 Convicted in Anti-Terrorism Court

Severe Sentences for PTI Leaders

Islamabad: An anti-terrorism court has handed down sentences of 10 years in prison and a fine of PKR 500,000 each to 47 leaders and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in absentia for their involvement in violent protests on May 9, 2023.

The protests erupted nationwide following the arrest of Imran Khan, the former prime minister and PTI founder, in Islamabad.

During the unrest, a faction of demonstrators attempted to breach the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, leading to significant property damage.

The incident prompted the registration of a case at the RA Bazar Police Station in Rawalpindi shortly after the events unfolded.

Charges against the PTI supporters included arson, vandalism, and assaults on police, particularly concerning attacks on the GHQ gate, Hamza Camp, the Army Museum, and the Sixth Road Metro Station.

Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court issued the ruling against the 47 individuals, who had previously been declared proclaimed offenders.

The court found them guilty and imposed a 10-year prison sentence along with a PKR 500,000 fine for each convict, as well as the seizure of their assets.

Failure to pay the fine will result in additional prison time for the convicted individuals.

Among those sentenced are notable PTI figures such as Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, and Shahbaz Gill, among others.

The court's written decision indicated that these individuals were implicated in a conspiracy related to the May 9 events, with a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) identifying them as primary suspects in orchestrating the violent protests.

These 47 were tried separately under Section 21 L of the Anti-Terrorism Act due to their absence from court and their status as proclaimed offenders.

This case is part of a larger prosecution involving 118 accused, including Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who were formally charged in December 2024.

Currently, Khan is incarcerated in Adiala Jail, facing multiple legal challenges following the dissolution of his government in April 2022.