Ex-GB CM sentenced to 34 years in prison for ‘threatening’ Pakistan’s state institutions

An anti-terrorism court in Gilgit has sentenced former Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid to 34 years in prison for issuing threats to Pakistani institutions and officials. The court also imposed a fine of PKR 600,000 on him.

Khurshid, who served as GB's chief minister during the jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, was convicted in absentia after failing to appear during the trial.

The case centered on allegations that Khurshid made severe threats during a political rally on July 26, 2024. He reportedly warned security agencies, the Chief Secretary of GB, and the Chief Election Commissioner of dire consequences.

The charges were filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at the City Police Station in Gilgit.

Court orders

The court directed the Inspector General of Police to arrest Khurshid and ordered the immediate blocking of his national identity card. It noted that the prosecution provided sufficient evidence to prove Khurshid's crime despite his absence.

Khurshid has been entangled in multiple legal battles. In December 2023, the Chief Court of GB disqualified him for five years over a fake degree case, resulting in the dissolution of his government.

The latest charges stem from his alleged threats during a protest on July 26, 2024, when he reportedly vowed severe consequences for the Chief Secretary, intelligence agencies, and police officials if he returned to power.

A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed to probe the allegations and concluded that Khurshid was culpable. After multiple failed attempts to summon him, the court appointed a government lawyer to represent him during the trial.

PTI reaction

PTI’s GB chapter has rejected the verdict, calling it politically motivated. The party vowed to continue its struggle against what it described as repression and targeted legal action.

Khurshid remains at large, and the police have been instructed to enforce the court's orders without delay.