Fri, September 18, 2026
Sargodha (Web Desk): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha delivered a significant verdict on Friday, sentencing Muhammad Ismail to 25 years in prison for his role in the violent attack on the Mianwali Judicial Complex during the May 9 unrest.
The judgment, handed down by Judge Muhammad Naeem Sheikh in case number 349/23, found Ismail guilty of setting fire to property and engaging in destructive behavior as part of the attack.
Alongside the sentencing, the court instructed the District Police Officer of Mianwali to apprehend 51 individuals who remain on the run.
Among those evading arrest are Ahmed Khan Bhachar, Ahmed Chattha, and Bilal Ijaz. Authorities have been given a strict one-month deadline to track down and detain these suspects.
In a related matter, the court has also maintained a firm stance against senior PTI figure Omar Ayub Khan. Non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued for him remain in effect, as he continues to evade capture. The court emphasized that legal proceedings against him must proceed without interruption.
This ruling comes just a day after a separate anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad issued harsh sentences against numerous leaders and activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in connection with other May 9 incidents.
Those convicted include Omar Ayub, who serves as the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Shibli Faraz, the Opposition Leader in the Senate, as well as Member of the National Assembly Zartaj Gul and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
However, not all accused were found guilty. In the Faisalabad case, the court acquitted 88 individuals due to lack of evidence, among them former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro.
These developments are part of a sweeping judicial response to the May 9 violence, which erupted nationwide following the arrest of former premier Imran Khan, leading to widespread unrest and attacks on state institutions.
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