Lahore (Web Desk): An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha on Tuesday delivered a decisive judgment, sentencing Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar—Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly—and several party activists to ten years in prison each.
The court held them accountable for their alleged roles in instigating violence, public disorder, and arson during the May 9 unrest that erupted nationwide following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The presiding judge issued the verdict after an extensive review of the case, concluding that the prosecution had successfully substantiated the charges. Prosecutors presented what they described as clear and compelling evidence linking the accused to acts of vandalism, incitement, and destruction of state property. Witness statements, police documentation, and forensic findings were key to the prosecution’s case.
Defense attorneys, however, contested the charges, arguing that the accusations lacked substance and were politically engineered to undermine PTI leadership. They claimed the case was built on unreliable testimony and that the individuals on trial had no direct involvement in the violent events cited in the FIR.
Despite the defense's objections, the court was convinced of the accused's participation in orchestrating chaos, including setting buildings ablaze and damaging infrastructure. The charges brought against them were filed under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism legislation, which covers offenses related to inciting riots and committing acts of terror against public safety.
In response to the ruling, Moeen Riaz Qureshi, the Deputy Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, criticized the sentences as politically motivated and labeled the day a bleak moment for democratic values in the country. He insisted that the opposition leader and others had been punished unjustly based on manipulated evidence and coerced testimonies, declaring the verdict a miscarriage of justice.
Qureshi reaffirmed that the party would appeal the decision in higher courts, emphasizing that Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar would retain his role as opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly.
Echoing these sentiments, PTI’s Chief Whip Rana Shahbaz Ahmad vowed that such legal actions would not weaken their resolve or diminish their commitment to their political ideals, which he described as being rooted in the future of Pakistan.
The May 9 disturbances, which followed the high-profile arrest of Imran Khan, saw widespread protests by PTI supporters. Demonstrators targeted both civil and military facilities, including attacks on Jinnah House in Lahore and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The military, describing the day as a national tragedy, pushed for severe consequences, leading to many protesters being tried in military courts under the Army Act.
Since then, dozens of PTI members have faced prosecution in both civilian and military courts. In December, 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Khan Niazi, were convicted in military proceedings. Another 60 people were sentenced in similar cases. While 19 of those convictions were later overturned after successful mercy appeals in January, the party remained dissatisfied, arguing that clemency had been granted too sparingly.
Although the Supreme Court had initially paused the military court trials, it later directed that pending cases be concluded. As a result, the judiciary resumed issuing verdicts for those implicated in the May 9 violence.