LAHORE:
An anti -terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha condemned PTI’s opposition leader at the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachaha and other workers from the party to 10 years in prison every Tuesday.
They were declared guilty of participating in the creation of disturbances of law and order, anarchy and fire caused during the disturbances of May 9, which exploded after the arrest of the founder of PTI Imran Khan.
The ATC judge issued the verdict after hearing detailed arguments and discovering that the Prosecutor’s Office had established his case. The defense councils argued that the defendants did not participate in the positions filed against them, claiming that these were politically motivated. They also declared that there was no substantial evidence available to link their clients with the crimes described in the FIR.
Read more: Imran involved in the conspiracy of May 9, LHC rules
However, the Prosecutor’s Office counteracted presenting concrete evidence that establishes the defendant’s participation. They argued that the defendants incited public disturbances, which led to violent incidents throughout the country.
The FIR included positions under anti -terrorist laws related to vandalism, the fire caused and inciting the disturbances during the protests that followed the arrest of Imran Khan.
According to judicial procedures, the defendants were declared guilty of damaging public property, burning buildings and causing disturbances.
The ATC transmitted the sentence after an exhaustive examination of the evidence, the statements of the witnesses and police reports.
‘Black Day of Democracy’
The attached leader of PTI’s opposition at the Punjab Assembly, Moeen Riaz Qureshi, described the sentences transmitted by the ATC court as the “black day of democracy”, stating that legislators, including the opposition leader of the largest province, were illegally sentenced based on manufactured evidence and witnesses.
Also read: PTI MNA, former MPA, among the 11 convicted on May 9.
He stressed that each child in Pakistan is aware of the destiny of these cases and that the public is completely informed about the court’s conduct. PTI will challenge the decision of the ATC Court in the Court of Appeals. Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the opposition leader, will continue to serve as opposition leader in the future.
The main whip of PTI in the Punjab Assembly, Rana Shahbaz Ahmad, declared that such decisions would not force them to bow, since they remain firm for a cause and the future of the nation.
May 9 disturbances
May 9 riots burst throughout the country after the arrest of former Prime Minister and founder of PTI Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers organized protests aimed at civil and military facilities, including 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.
