July 22, 2025: In a major legal and political development, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has sentenced several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema, to 10 years in prison each in connection with the May 9 riots.
The court also found Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and Afzal Azeem Pahat guilty in the same case, delivering a heavy blow to the embattled PTI just as the party ramps up its anti-government campaign.
Who Was Sentenced and Who Was Acquitted?
While several PTI leaders faced convictions, the court acquitted key figures, including former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Hamza Azeem Pahat, Rana Tanveer, and Aizaz Rafiq, citing lack of evidence.
These rulings come just hours after another ATC in Sargodha handed Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and several other PTI workers 10-year sentences for vandalism tied to the same May 9 protests.
PTI Responds: “Judiciary Has Failed”
Reacting to the judgments, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan held a press conference, accusing the courts of political bias and legal irregularities.
“Today’s verdicts are proof that the judiciary has collapsed,” Gohar said.
“The same two witnesses are being recycled in every May 9 case—how is that justice?”
He emphasized that multiple cases are being tried under different jurisdictions, a clear violation of constitutional law, according to PTI’s legal team.
Senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja added that the punishment isn’t just for PTI leaders, but an attack on democratic norms. He questioned the credibility of the witnesses and urged institutions to reflect on the long-term damage to civil liberties.
Government Fires Back: “Justice Has Been Served”
Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, rejected PTI’s claims, asserting that all evidence and procedures were lawfully followed.
“This is the same party that never sent lawyers to court. They reject any verdict that goes against them,” Aqeel stated in an interview with Geo News.
He stressed that the convictions were not politically motivated, but based on solid legal grounds and constitutional procedures.
What Was the May 9 Incident?
The May 9, 2023 events refer to violent riots across Pakistan following the dramatic arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case. The protests escalated into attacks on:
- Military installations
- Public infrastructure
- The iconic Jinnah House (Corps Commander House) in Lahore
Following the chaos, hundreds of PTI workers were arrested. While some were later released on bail, others—including top-tier leadership—still face multiple anti-terrorism and vandalism charges.
Constitutional Crisis or Political Persecution?
The PTI legal wing argues that the latest wave of verdicts is not just a legal issue but a constitutional crisis. Opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, also sentenced today, said:
“This decision is politically driven. It violates constitutional protections and was delivered without following legal procedure.”
His legal team is preparing to appeal the verdict in the high court, signaling that the judicial fight is far from over.
What’s Next for PTI?
These verdicts come just two weeks before PTI’s planned nationwide protests, set to “peak” by August 5, under the direction of Imran Khan, who remains in jail since August 2023.
With top party leaders now convicted and behind bars, PTI’s political mobilization may face serious hurdles.
