LAHORE — An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while sentencing four senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders to 10 years in prison each over another May 9 riots case.
Judge Manzer Ali Gill announced the reserved verdict at a makeshift court inside Kot Lakhpat Jail. The case, registered at the Mughalpura Police Station, involved the torching of police vehicles during the violent countrywide protests in May 2023.
Key Judicial Verdicts
- The court acquitted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and 11 party workers.
- Dr Yasmin Rashid and Omar Sarfraz Cheema were handed 10-year prison sentences.
- Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed and Ejaz Chaudhry were also sentenced to 10 years.
- Multiple ordinary party workers received identical 10-year prison terms in the case.
Prosecution Evidence and Case Background
The trial concluded after the prosecution presented 37 witnesses to prove that the PTI leadership intentionally planned the violence and incited workers to riot. The targeted incident occurred following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in 2023, which sparked attacks on both state and military properties.
May 9 Case Breakdown & Sentences
• Trial Venue: Special makeshift court inside Kot Lakhpat Jail.
• Total Nominated: 22 individuals, including top leadership and workers.
• Proclaimed: 2 accused declared offenders for evading arrest.
• Total Verdicts: 8 cases now decided, with multiple convictions for the core four.
This marks the eighth verdict delivered in connection with the May 9 disturbances. The four convicted leaders have already received prison sentences in previous trials, including attacks on the Shadman police station and the burning of official vehicles near Jinnah House. Meanwhile, Qureshi secures his second major acquittal in these cases.
