Pakistan jails senior opposition leaders for 10 years over riots after Khan’s arrest

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Tuesday sentenced senior leaders of the country's main opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, to 10 years in prison over their roles in violent protests in Lahore in 2023.

Former foreign minister and senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted in the same case.

The case stems from the May 9, 2023 riots that broke out after jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court.

The violence spread quickly across Pakistan and lasted more than 24 hours. Protesters attacked government buildings, military installations and the Lahore corps commander’s residence.

Police said PTI leaders and workers damaged and set fire to public property at Sherpao Bridge in Lahore’s Cantonment area during the protests.

According to the ruling, those sentenced include Dr. Yasmin Rashid, former Punjab minister Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema. Others convicted are Khalid Qayyum, Riyaz Hussain, Ali Hassan and Afzal Azeem Pahat.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the verdict, calling it “an addition to the controversial cases of Pakistan’s judiciary.”

He said Qureshi’s acquittal was welcome but criticized the 10-year sentences, saying they were handed down “without fulfilling the requirements of the law.”

“This jail trial will not bode well for the country,” he said. “It is creating public disillusionment in the courts.”

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja called the verdict “a joke and attack on democracy.”

“An edifice of lies has been built. This is no longer just about our party; it concerns the entire nation,” he said. “Institutions and courts are being destroyed.”

But the government defended the ruling.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik told a private TV channel the verdict followed due process and considered all evidence.

“These people were using delaying tactics,” he said. “The verdict is in line with the law and Constitution.”

The anti-terror court had heard final arguments a day earlier during jail trial proceedings.

Sargodha ATC verdict

Earlier in the day, an anti-terrorism court in Sargodha sentenced several opposition workers, including Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, to 10 years in prison each over their alleged role in the May 9, 2023, riots sparked by Imran Khan’s arrest.

The court found the PTI leaders guilty of orchestrating violent attacks on public and military installations during the widespread protests that erupted in 2023.

Alongside Bhachar, PTI Central Punjab President and Member of the National Assembly Mohammad Ahmad Chattha, as well as party Secretary General Bilal Ejaz, were also handed decade-long prison terms.