An anti-terrorist court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday accused 21 people, including the leaders of Pakistan Senior Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr. Yasmin Rashid, in relation to the disturbances of May 9, 9, 9 May 2023.
The charges are related to the violent protests that occurred after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, including the alleged torch of a container in Kalma Chowk.
The accusation was announced by Lahore Atc judge, Arshad, Javed during a hearing in the Kot Lakhppp prison, where Qureshi denied the charges. The Court postponed the hearing until February 17 and summoned the witnesses of prosecution.
May 9 disturbances burst throughout the country after Khan’s arrest in relation to the case of liquidation of £ 190 million.
PTI’s workers and leaders were arrested for their participation in the protests, who went to civil and military facilities, including the Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned events as a “black day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Law.
As a result of the riots, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court condemned 25 people, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and then sentenced to 60 more.
In January, 19 convicts had their forgiven sentences after successful appeals of mercy, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of pardons.
Initially, the military trials had stopped after a ruling of the Supreme Court, but resumed after the court instructions to finish pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in violent incidents.
The president of the PTI, the lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, has firmly opposed the trial of civilians in the military courts, citing constitutional concerns.
