LAHORE:
An anti -terrorism court (ATC) sentenced the former Punjab governor, Omer Sarfraz Chema, Ijaz Chaudhry, Dr. Yasmeen Rashid, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and others ten years in prison in a case related to the disturbances of May 9.
The case involved charges, including the torches of a vehicle belonging to the squad of a former judge.
However, ATC judge, Manzar Ali Gill, acquitted former Federal Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and several other PTI workers of the positions. The well -known fashion designer Khadija Shah was sentenced to five years in jail.
According to the Challan Police, a total of 51 defendants were nominated in the case. Of these, 12 were declared proclaimed criminals, while 39, including five women, faced trial.
A woman, Sanam Javed, was declared a proclaimed criminal. Of the five accused women, three were acquitted.
In total, 21 defendants were acquitted in the case, while the rest received prison.
Previously, on August 18, Judge Gill had transmitted sentences to the same PTI legislators in the “Rahat Bakery case”, observing that the May 9 attacks were carried out in multiple cities and specific state buildings, military facilities and monuments associated with the armed forces, in violation of the global traditions of the peaceful protest.
Issuing a detailed trial in that case, Judge Gill had declared that it was found that PTI leaders were involved in the hatching of a conspiracy in relation to the attacks after the arrest of the founding president of PTI Imran Khan.
He wrote that the protest itself is not a crime, but that manifestations lose their legal character once violence enters them.
The judge commented that throughout the world, the citizens are peacefully protest, holding banners without taking the law in their own hands. In Pakistan, however, official buildings, police and military facilities throughout the country were attacked
In addition, he noticed that it was a universal truth that a man can lie, but a document cannot.
“Now in this modern and digital era, you cannot hide the event or not capture any incident. The occurrence in the hand is an open secret.”
“The same incidents also became viral through social networks, individually by Tiktokers and YouTubers. Several clips, snapshots and other materials are still available on Facebook, YouTube, X and Tiktok until today. Simply clicking on the link, everyone could visualize each and every one of the incidents of the tragic moments,” he added.
