LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has acquitted PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two more cases linked to the May 9 riots. Meanwhile, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters organized protests in response to the arrest of party founder Imran Khan. The protests turned violent, leading to widespread unrest and the arrest of thousands.
The ATC had reserved its verdicts on two cases related to the May 9 events—the attack on Shadman police station and the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House—on Saturday. These proceedings were held at Kot Lakhpat jail, where the judge completed two sessions of hearings.
Judge Manzer Ali Gill delivered the verdicts today, convicting Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry, Cheema, and Rashid in both cases. PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were also sentenced to five years in the Shadman case.
Advocate Rana Mudassar confirmed the sentencing to Dawn.com.
In the Shadman police station case, the court indicted 25 out of 41 accused, while 15 individuals have been declared proclaimed offenders. In the case involving the torching of police vehicles, 17 individuals were indicted, with seven proclaimed offenders, and statements from 65 prosecution witnesses were recorded.
Earlier, last month, the ATC had acquitted Qureshi but sentenced Dr Yasmin, Chaudhry, Cheema, Rashid, and others to 10 years over violence during the May 9 riots on Sherpao Bridge. In the case, PTI leaders were accused of ransacking and setting fire to public property during the protests.
Chaudhry filed two petitions in the Lahore High Court seeking to suspend his conviction and release him on bail, while also requesting an acquittal in the case in the interest of justice.
PTI’s Gohar criticizes the verdict
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly condemned the convictions, stating, “If injustice prevails, the voice of the people will be silenced.”
He lamented that PTI’s mandate had been stolen and that the government lacked the respect and trust of the people. Despite these issues, Gohar mentioned that PTI had continued to work in parliament to protect the nation, democracy, and judicial independence.
“We reject the judgments. Justice has been murdered,” Gohar said. He stressed that PTI condemns the violence of May 9 but had submitted a petition for a fair hearing, which was ignored.
Gohar pointed out that the failure of the courts to deliver justice led to political instability. He echoed statements by Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, urging people to rise up and make their voices heard.
In discussing the convicted individuals, Gohar emphasized that they were representatives of the state who did not endorse violence. He warned that continuing injustice would cause further division in the country.
Gohar also mentioned that the Chief Justice of Pakistan had promised a meeting with Imran Khan in Adiala, but no action had been taken despite six months having passed. PTI’s requests in parliament for justice remained unanswered.
