On July 31, 2025, a special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad sentenced 108 leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, to 10 years in prison in a result of their involvement in the violence that occurred on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The court convicted the accused on terrorism charges related to the unrest. However, on May 9, the same court acquitted former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and PTI leader Zain Qureshi in separate cases.
The individuals sentenced include notable figures from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), such as National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan, Senators Shibli Faraz and Zartaj Gul, and MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza. This verdict adds to the legal challenges faced by PTI, which began following the riots on May 9 that targeted military installations and public buildings.
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This ruling continues a trend of convictions, as on May 9, military courts sentenced 85 civilians to prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years. In December 2024, the Lahore High Court dismissed Imran Khan’s bail petitions in eight related cases.
On May 9, 2023, riots erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of Imran Khan on corruption charges. Protesters targeted state institutions, leading to widespread violence and numerous arrests. Authorities have charged leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party multiple times, naming Imran Khan as the primary accused in several cases. Following these convictions, the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified several PTI lawmakers.
Read: ECP Announces By-Election Schedule for Four Vacant Seats After PTI Disqualifications
This verdict is a significant setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), further complicating the party’s legal and political challenges. It underscores the ongoing tensions between PTI and state institutions following Imran Khan’s removal from office in April 2022.
