Lahore:
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore acquitted six Pakistani leaders Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI), including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, as part of the May 9 riots, while condemning 10 others, including Dr. Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood-Rasheed, for 10 years in the prison on Tuesday.
The court rendered its verdict in the case concerning inflammatory speeches and vandalism at the Sherpao bridge. The court, which had finished the final arguments of defense and prosecution, reserved its decision before announcing the decision.
The verdict said the ATC has acquitted Qureshi, Azeem and four other accused due to insufficient evidence. However, the court recognized 10 other culprits and sentenced 10 years in prison for their role in the violence which followed the arrest of the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan.
The case includes violent protests and damage caused to public and private properties, including incidents of criminal fire and vandalism, which broke out on May 9, following the arrest of the former Prime Minister.
Earlier, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced the opposition chief to the Punjab assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar de PTI, and other party workers at 10 years in prison each.
They were found guilty of participation in the creation of disturbances of public order, anarchy and a criminal fire during the riots of May 9, which broke out after the arrest of the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan.
The ATC judge rendered the verdict after hearing detailed arguments and concluded that the accusation had established his case. Defense councils argued that the accused was not involved in the charges against them, saying that it was case of political motivation.
May 9 riots
The riots of May 9 broke out at the national level following the arrest of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, after which the leaders and workers of the PTI organized demonstrations targeting civil and military installations, in particular the house of Jinnah and the general seat (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The soldiers condemned events as “Black Day” and decided to try the demonstrators under the Army Act.
Following the troubles, many members of the PTI were arrested and tried before the military courts. In December, a military court sentenced 25 people, including the nephew of Imran Khan, Hassan Khan Niazi, then sentenced 60 others.
In January, 19 convicts had forgiven their convictions following successful mercy calls, although PTI expressed its dissatisfaction on the limited number of pardons.
The military trials had initially been interrupted following a decision of the Supreme Court, but resumed following the instructions of the court to finalize the matters pending and announce judgments for the persons involved in violent incidents.
