A Pakistani anti-terrorism court delivered sentences to 75 individuals associated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, in connection with the May 9 riots. The sentences, spanning 3 to 10 years in prison, relate to the attack on the home of a senior PML-N leader. The Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad sentenced 59 leaders and activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to 10 years and 16 others to 3 years in prison. 34 individuals were acquitted regarding the attack on Rana Sanaullah’s residence, the PML-N Punjab President. A total of 75 out of the 109 defendants have been convicted.
Among the convicted are prominent figures, including former opposition leaders in both the National Assembly (Omar Ayub) and the Senate (Shibli Faraz), along with Zartaj Gul Ahmed Chatha, Ashraf Khan Sohna, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq (nephew of former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid), and Kanwal Shozab. These leaders had previously received 10-year sentences for an attack on an ISI building in Faisalabad; these will be served concurrently. Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi, the son of former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, were acquitted in this case. On May 9, 2023, supporters of Imran Khan were responsible for widespread damage to military and government buildings, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Imran Khan has been incarcerated for the past two years, with thousands of his party members also facing charges linked to the May 9 incidents. The courts in Punjab have begun to sentence PTI members based on the orders of the Supreme Court. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly criticized the court’s decision, maintaining that it is based on fabricated cases and false witnesses. Zulfi Bukhari, an associate of Imran Khan, posted on social media to express outrage, highlighting alleged injustices against ordinary citizens, families, and the PTI leadership.