LAHORE:
An anti-terrorist court (ATC) in Lahore has absolute six leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, in relation to the disturbances of May 9, while sentenced to another 10, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood-Uuro Prison prison.
The court issued its verdict in the case on inflammatory speeches and vandalism on the Sherpao bridge. The court, which had completed the final arguments of defense and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the ruling.
The verdict stated that the ATC acquitted of Qureshi, Azeem and four other accused people due to insufficient evidence. However, the court found another 10 guilty and issued 10 -year prison sentences for his role in the violence that followed the arrest of the founder of PTI Imran Khan.
The case involves protests and violent damage caused to public and private property, including incidents of incidents and vandalism, which exploded on May 9, after the arrest of the former prime minister.
Previously, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmed Khachar de PTI and other workers from the party to 10 years in prison each.
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.
May 9 disturbances
May 9 riots burst throughout the country after the arrest of former Prime Minister 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.
