An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad announced its verdict on Monday in a case related to the May 9 violence involved an attack on the residence of former Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
ATC Judge Javed Iqbal delivered the ruling, which resulted in prison sentences for several prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. The court convicted and sentenced multiple senior PTI figures to 10 years in prison. Those receiving the sentence include party leaders Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, and Zartaj Gul.
Other convicted individuals include Kanwal Shauzab, Ahmad Chattha, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Ansar Iqbal, and Bilal Ejaz. PTI MPAs Ismail Sillah and Shahid Javed also received 10-year prison terms. In total, the court convicted 75 of the 109 accused individuals. Among them, 59 received 10-year sentences, while 16 others were sentenced to 3 years in prison. The court acquitted 34 individuals due to insufficient evidence. Prominent among those acquitted are PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi.
Read: Lahore ATC Dismisses Omar Ayub’s Bail in May 9 Violence Cases
The case was registered at Samanabad Police Station. It pertained to the violent protests on May 9, 2023, during which Sanaullah’s house was reportedly attacked.
This verdict follows a similar ruling from an ATC in Lahore on July 22. That court sentenced PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed to 10 years in prison for arson and vandalism on May 9, while acquitting Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The May 9, 2023, protests occurred across Pakistan following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The demonstrations escalated into violent clashes in multiple cities.
Protesters attacked military installations, including the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore. Provincial governments summoned the armed forces to help maintain law and order during the widespread unrest. The events of May 9 have resulted in multiple legal cases against PTI leaders and workers, with courts continuing to deliver verdicts.
