An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Friday delivered its verdict in a high-profile May 9 case, sentencing several senior PTI leaders while acquitting others, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
The court, presided over by Judge Manzar Ali Gul at a makeshift courtroom inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry, and Omar Sarfaraz Cheema to 10 years in prison for arson and encirclement during the May 9 unrest. Muhammad Shahbaz also received a 10-year sentence.
Meanwhile, Shah Mehmood Qureshi was acquitted in the GOR gate breaking case, along with 12 other accused, including Abdullah Badr, Mushtaq Ahmed, and Qasim Elahi. During the trial, the court recorded statements of 21 accused. The prosecution presented 56 witnesses, while the Race Course Police submitted the official challan. Four accused were declared absconders during proceedings.
Earlier Verdicts in Related May 9 Cases
Earlier rulings in related May 9 cases had also sentenced PTI leaders to 10 years’ imprisonment. In the Jinnah House vehicle torching case, Rashid, Cheema, Chaudhry, Rasheed, Ayesha Ali Bhutta, and Muhammad Fahim were sentenced to 10 years. Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed received five-year terms. Shah Mehmood Qureshi and six others were acquitted.
In the Shadman Police Station torching case, 12 out of 25 accused, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Sohail Khan, were acquitted. Some suspects had previously been declared absconders, and one accused died during the trial.
Background
The May 9 case stems from unrest following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court in a graft case. Thousands of PTI supporters stormed public and military installations, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore and GHQ in Rawalpindi, causing widespread damage and casualties.
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These verdicts mark another key development in ongoing legal proceedings related to the May 9 case, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to address one of its most significant political and security crises in recent years.
