An anti-terrorism court on Friday sentenced several senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders to 10 years in prison each in a case linked to the violent protests of May 9, 2023.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the verdict inside Kot Lakhpat Jail. The court convicted Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and three other accused. Meanwhile, the court acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and 13 co-accused.
During the proceedings, the court recorded final statements from 21 accused, including Dr Yasmin Rashid. The prosecution presented testimony from 56 witnesses. The court also noted that four suspects faced trial in absentia after authorities declared them proclaimed offenders.
The Race Course Police registered a case regarding the attack on the GOR-1 gate during the May 9 unrest. According to the FIR, the accused damaged security cameras, destroyed police communication equipment, broke glass panels, vandalised government property, and assaulted police officials.
9 مئی کیس کا ایک اور بڑا فیصلہ!
شاہ محمود قریشی بری، ڈاکٹر یاسمین راشد، میاں محمود الرشید، اعجاز چوہدری، عمر سرفراز چیمہ کو 10، 10 سال قید کی سزا pic.twitter.com/qO24icTdY2
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 19, 2025Prosecutors alleged that a mob, led by PTI leader Hammad Azhar, carried out the attack. The court ensured the presence of both detained and bail-granted accused throughout the trial. Prosecutors further claimed that senior PTI leaders incited party workers to violence during the unrest.
The verdict adds to mounting legal pressure on the Imran Khan-founded party. Courts have already handed down prison sentences to several PTI leaders in multiple May 9-related cases. Former prime minister Imran Khan remains incarcerated in connection with several ongoing proceedings.
This marks the fifth conviction for Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, and Ejaz Chaudhry in the May 9 cases. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, however, secured an acquittal in this matter.
The May 9 riots erupted after authorities arrested Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case. Protests quickly spread across the country, with supporters attacking public property and sensitive military installations, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
