In a major legal development, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has sentenced 108 leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party up to ten years in prison each, in connection with the May 9, 2023, violence that erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Among those sentenced are prominent political figures including Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
However, former ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi were acquitted due to lack of evidence, according to court documents.
What Happened on May 9?
The events of May 9, 2023, were triggered by the dramatic arrest of PTI chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. His arrest, linked to a corruption investigation, sparked nationwide protests from PTI supporters, who perceived it as politically motivated.
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While most demonstrations were peaceful, several turned violent. Government buildings, police installations, and even military sites were attacked in major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. One of the most controversial incidents occurred at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, which was breached by protesters for the first time in Pakistan’s history. Other high-profile sites targeted included Corps Commander House in Lahore and Radio Pakistan Peshawar, which was set ablaze.
The state labelled these events as acts of terrorism and sedition. In response, thousands of PTI workers were arrested, and military courts were proposed to try civilians involved in attacks on defence installations. The move faced criticism from human rights organisations and legal experts, who raised concerns about due process.
Court Ruling
The ATC found the 108 accused guilty of orchestrating or participating in acts of terrorism on May 9, particularly in cases involving attacks on military property. The court said the evidence presented by investigators, including CCTV footage, call records, and witness testimonies, proved their involvement.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had already been facing multiple cases related to May 9 and has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them “politically engineered.” His sentencing is expected to ignite further political debate, especially in KP, where PTI retains strong support.
The defence teams are expected to appeal the ruling in higher courts. PTI has not yet issued a formal statement on the sentencing.
Barrister Gohar
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly condemned the recent convictions of senior party leaders in connection with the May 9 violence case, calling it a “dark day for democracy” and a clear sign of political victimization.
Speaking to the media following the Anti-Terrorism Court’s verdict in Faisalabad, which handed 10-year sentences to several PTI figures including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and others, Gohar said these were democratic voices being silenced unjustly.
“Today is a sad day for democracy. Our leaders—many of them affiliated with the Sunni Ittehad Council—have been sentenced without fair justification,” he said. “These are people who have never defied the system but always worked to strengthen it.”
This is a developing story, we'll keep you updated....
