Pakistan court acquits ex-PM Khan’s top aide in 2023 riots case

A Pakistani court acquitted on Friday Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, in a case linked to violent countrywide protests in May 2023.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill of Lahore’s anti-terrorism court delivered the verdict inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, concluding proceedings concerning an attack on the entrance gate of the Government Officers’ Residence at Club Chowk in the Punjab capital.

The case originated from an FIR registered by Race Course Police Station, which alleged that protesters vandalized surveillance cameras, destroyed police wireless equipment, shattered glass panels at the GOR-1 gate, damaged state property and attacked members of the police force.

The case is part of a series of legal actions targeting PTI figures following demonstrations triggered by the arrest of former premier Imran Khan on corruption charges. Thousands of PTI supporters clashed on May 9, 2023, with security forces, vandalized government properties, and attacked military installations.

During the trial, the court recorded final statements from 21 defendants after the prosecution presented testimony from 56 witnesses. Authorities also noted that four of the accused had previously been declared proclaimed offenders during the investigation.

While Qureshi was acquitted, the court handed 10-year prison sentences in August to other senior PTI leaders, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Mehmood ur Rasheed, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry, while Alia Hamza and Sanam Javed received five-year sentences.

The May 2023 protests marked one of Pakistan’s most significant political upheavals in recent years. The unrest quickly escalated into large-scale riots in multiple cities, with supporters clashing with security forces, setting fire to vehicles and installations and inflicting widespread damage on key infrastructure. Tens of thousands participated, and hundreds were arrested.

The government described the unrest as a coordinated attack on state institutions, whereas PTI officials maintained that the demonstrations were spontaneous expressions of public anger.