SARGODHA, Pakistan – An anti-terrorism court on Monday sentenced eight senior leaders and activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to 10 years in prison over their alleged involvement in the violent May 9, 2023 protests.
The convicted include former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, ex-health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, former provincial ministers Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Murad Raas, as well as PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry. All were found guilty in the Corps Commander House Lahore attack case.
The court’s verdict comes amid an intensified state crackdown on PTI members following the nationwide riots sparked by the arrest of party chief Imran Khan last year. Over 3,000 individuals were detained in Punjab alone.
While eight individuals were sentenced, six others facing similar charges in the same case were acquitted, highlighting inconsistencies in the court’s decision, according to defence lawyers. An appeal has been filed by the defence team challenging the verdict.
This high-profile conviction is among the first major rulings since the government dropped plans to try civilians in military courts — a move previously criticised by rights groups and declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.