On July 3, 2025, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members, Mira Khan, Muhammad Akram, Shahzeb, and Sohail Khan, who were convicted for attacking a police station during the May 9, 2023, riots. The court cited insufficient evidence.
The IHC bench, comprising Justices Azam Khan and Khadim Soomro, overturned the Anti-Terrorism Court’s May 30, 2025, convictions, which included charges under Pakistan Penal Code Sections 148, 149, 186, 188, 324, 353, 436, and 440, Section 144 of CrPC, and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Sentences ranged from one month to 10 years. The court noted that only one of nine prosecution witnesses, Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Sharif, identified the accused, and no injuries were reported despite the alleged firing.
Alhamdulilah!
After arguments of @BabarAwanPK, 4 workers from PTI Islamabad acquitted in false 9th May cases. pic.twitter.com/8gwCd7orwq
— Abdullah Babar Awan (@AbdullahBabarPK) July 3, 2025PTI lawyer Babar Awan argued the prosecution’s case relied on weak identification, stating, “The system should not be made into a joke.” Prosecutor Nasir Shah claimed the attack on Ramna police station was a “great act of terrorism” but failed to provide conclusive evidence. The bench criticised the lack of witness statements confirming the accused’s presence, rejecting reliance on an identity parade. The prosecution’s request for more time to present evidence was denied, as the arguments were complete.
Read: LHC Rules Imran Khan Involved in May 9, 2023 Conspiracy, Denies Bail
The May 9, 2023, riots erupted after PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, with supporters vandalising military installations, including Lahore’s Corps Commander’s House, and state properties. The violence led to eight deaths and over 1,500 arrests, per government reports. The IHC’s acquittal follows Khan’s denial of bail in a related conspiracy case, highlighting ongoing legal battles and political tensions.
