On August 11, 2025, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore acquitted Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in two cases related to the riots that occurred on May 9, 2023.
In contrast, PTI leaders Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid were sentenced to ten years in prison. These cases involved an attack on the Shadman police station and the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House, both of which were triggered by violent protests following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
حافظ محمد اشرف عمران خان کے پرسنل سیکورٹی گارڈ جو 9 مئی کو عمران خان صاحب کے ساتھ اسلام آباد موجود تھے،جس کے ویڈیو ثبوت موجود ہیں، خان صاحب کی گرفتاری کے بعد اس کو بھی پانچ اگست کو گرفتار کیا گیا اور اسے 9مئی لاہور کے مقدمہ 103/23 میں ڈال دیا گیا
آج حافظ محمد کو بھی تھانہ… pic.twitter.com/ghenJe7y9m
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 11, 2025ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the verdicts following hearings at Kot Lakhpat Jail, which concluded on August 9. In the Shadman case, 25 out of 41 accused were indicted, and statements from 45 prosecution witnesses were recorded. Additionally, 15 individuals were declared proclaimed offenders. In the vehicle torching case, 17 individuals were indicted, seven were declared offenders, and 65 witnesses provided testimony.
According to Advocate Rana Mudassar, Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed received five-year sentences in the Shadman case.
سولہ سالہ بلال بشیر جو نابالغ ہے قانوناً جج صاحب اس کا کیس سن ہی نہیں سکتے اس کو بھی دس سال قید کی سزا سنا دی گئی ہے۔ ایڈووکیٹ پرویز اقبال اموی pic.twitter.com/MaEGTlUTnk
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 11, 2025Last month, Qureshi was acquitted in a related Sherpao Bridge case, while Rashid, Chaudry, Cheema, and others received 10-year sentences for ransacking public property. On August 9, Chaudry filed petitions in the Lahore High Court to suspend his sentence and seek acquittal, citing justice concerns. The May 9 riots, sparked by Khan’s arrest, led to thousands of arrests amid widespread violence targeting public and military infrastructure.
Read: ATC Sentences PTI Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul to 10 Years in May 9 Riots Case
Qureshi’s acquittal offers relief, but the convictions deepen PTI’s legal woes, with senior leaders facing significant sentences. The rulings highlight Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on the riots, affecting PTI’s political standing. Chaudry’s appeals signal continued legal battles, potentially shaping the party’s future strategy.
