Lahore ATC acquits Shah Mahmood Qureshi, sentences Yasmin Rashid, other PTI leaders to 10-year in prison in May 9 case

Lahore (Web Desk): An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore sentenced four key leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry—along with three others, to 10 years in prison in a case regarding May 9 riots.

The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul at Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Meanwhile, former foreign minister and senior PTI figure Shah Mahmood Qureshi, along with 13 other accused, was acquitted.

During the trial, final statements of 21 defendants, including Dr. Rashid, were recorded. The prosecution presented 56 witnesses to support its case, and four of the accused were declared proclaimed offenders at various points during the proceedings.

The case had been registered by the Race Course Police Station after the attack on the GOR-1 gate during the May 9 unrest. According to the FIR, the accused damaged security cameras, broke police wireless devices, shattered glass panels at the gate, vandalized government property, and assaulted police officers. Authorities alleged that the attack was led by PTI leader Hammad Azhar.

The court ensured that both detained individuals and those out on bail were present during the hearings. The accused PTI leaders faced allegations of inciting party workers to rebellion and engaging in violent acts amid the chaos of May 9.

This judgment adds to the growing legal challenges confronting the PTI, the party founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Numerous party figures have already received prison sentences over the May 9 events, and several, including Khan, remain behind bars facing multiple cases.

For Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry, this marks their fifth conviction, while Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted.

Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) de-notified several PTI lawmakers, including opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, such as Senator Shibli Faraz and Omar Ayub Khan, following their convictions in May 9-related cases.

This development came shortly after a special ATC in Faisalabad sentenced other PTI leaders—including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul—to ten years in prison in connection with violence reported at the Civil Lines Police Station during the same unrest.

The May 9, 2023, riots had erupted after thousands of PTI supporters stormed public and military facilities, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, in protest of Imran Khan’s arrest. The unrest followed Khan’s detention from the Islamabad High Court premises in a graft case.

During the violence, PTI supporters targeted civil and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. While some party leaders and workers were released on bail, many remain in custody.