An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gilgit on Tuesday sentenced the former chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and PTI's regional president, Khalid Khurshid, to 34 years in prison for threatening state security institutions and evading legal proceedings.
The court, presided over by Judge Rehmat Shah, found Khurshid guilty of issuing threats to security institutions, including the chief secretary and chief election commissioner, during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally on July 26 at Ittehad Chowk, Gilgit.
In addition to the prison term, he was fined Rs600,000.
Following the incident, a case was registered against Khurshid at the City Police Station in Gilgit. While ATC proceedings against him continued, Khurshid went into hiding.
Despite his absence, legal counsel represented him during the trial.
After concluding the hearings, Judge Rehmat Shah announced the verdict, directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest Khurshid and ensure his transfer to prison.
The court also instructed the director general of NADRA to block Khurshid's national identity card.
Earlier in July 2023, the G-B Chief Court disqualified him for allegedly obtaining a law license from the GB Bar Council using a fake degree.
A month later, police registered a separate case against him for possessing the fake law degree.
Khurshid managed to secure protective bail in September 2023 from the Peshawar High Court in cases registered against him across the country. However, his current conviction marks a significant setback for the embattled political leader.
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