An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Saturday delivered its verdict in two additional cases linked to the May 9 riots, sentencing senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed to 10 years in prison each.
According to details, ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearings for both cases in Kot Lakhpat jail.
One of the cases dealt with the torching of police vehicles in the Gulberg area. In this matter, the court found 20 of the accused guilty and announced their sentences, while acquitting five individuals—Sajawal Nadeem, Zaman Qadri, Shahroz, Muhammad Kabir and Ali Hassan—after determining that the evidence against them was insufficient. A total of 33 people had faced trial in this case.
The second verdict concerned the setting ablaze of a container at Kalma Chowk. The court imposed punishments on 37 accused in this case. Among those sentenced were Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, each of whom received a ten-year prison term. The court also declared 12 suspects, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, as absconders for failing to appear before it.
While announcing the verdict, the court stated that the judgments, which had earlier been reserved, were formally pronounced at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Both cases were registered by Nasirabad Police, with FIR No. 1078/23 lodged at Nasirabad Police Station and FIR No. 1280/23 registered at Gulberg Police Station.
In the Kalma Chowk container case, the prosecution had produced 36 accused during the trial. It was also clarified that, so far, no charges have been brought against PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi in connection with these proceedings.
Earlier today, a special court handed down a 17-year prison sentence to Pakistan PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-2 case.
The case revolves around the alleged illegal acquisition of a luxury Bulgari jewellery set that Imran Khan received as a state gift from the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit in May 2021.
According to the prosecution, the jewellery set, estimated to be worth around Rs80 million, was unlawfully retained by the former prime minister after paying only Rs2.9 million, a fraction of its assessed value. The court accepted the prosecution’s argument that the transaction violated Toshakhana rules governing the declaration and purchase of state gifts.
In a separate development on December 19, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore sentenced four prominent PTI leaders—Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry—along with three other individuals, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the May 9 riots.
The verdict was delivered by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul inside Kot Lakhpat Jail.
At the same time, senior PTI leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, along with 13 other accused persons, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
During the course of the trial, the court recorded final statements from 21 defendants, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid.
The prosecution relied on testimony from 56 witnesses to substantiate its case, while four accused were declared proclaimed offenders at different stages of the proceedings.
On May 9, 2023, riots erupted following the arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case.
In the aftermath of his detention, thousands of PTI supporters took to the streets, attacking public and military installations across the country. Among the targeted sites were the Corps Commander House in Lahore and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
While several party leaders and workers later secured bail, a significant number of individuals linked to the unrest continue to remain behind bars as legal proceedings move forward.