An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gujranwala handed down five-year prison sentences to 51 individuals convicted of involvement in the May 9 riots that occurred last year across the country.
The unrest in Gujranwala Cantt, characterized by vandalism and arson, led to charges against 23 PTI leaders, including Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, along with over 400 other suspects.
Presided over by Judge Natasha Naseem Supra, the ATC delivered a swift verdict, sentencing each accused to five years in jail. Some were apprehended at the scene of the vandalism, while others were identified through geo-fencing, as per police records.
A detailed judgment from the ATC is expected to follow.
Notably, none of the prominent PTI figures or office bearers were among the 51 individuals convicted in today’s ruling. Initially, the police had named 23 PTI leaders and over 200 unidentified suspects in the case. Subsequently, the number of accused surpassed 400 after extensive police investigations.
The trial saw testimonies from 199 witnesses presented in court. Additionally, the Gujranwala police interrogated incarcerated PTI leaders Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Adiala Jail regarding their alleged involvement in the vandalism and arson. However, the former Prime Minister reportedly declined to cooperate with investigators and instructed his legal team to respond on his behalf.
The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of the deposed Prime Minister in a £190 million settlement case. PTI workers and senior leaders faced arrests en masse for their roles in the violence, which included attacks on both civil and military installations.
Significant targets included Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military labeled May 9 as a “Black Day” and opted to try the protesters under the Army Act.
