PTI's Deputy Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly, Muhammad Moeen-ud-Din Riaz, denounced the verdicts as a "black day for democracy", saying lawmakers, including the opposition leader of Pakistan's largest province, were convicted on fabricated evidence and false testimonies.
"Every child in Pakistan knows well about the fate of these cases," he said, adding that the public was fully aware of the judiciary's conduct. "PTI will challenge the ATC court's decision in an appellate forum," he said, asserting that Bhachar was and would remain the opposition leader.
PTI's chief whip in the Punjab Assembly, Rana Shahbaz Ahmad, said such decisions could not force them to back down. "We stand by a cause, for the future of this nation," he said.
He warned that if such verdicts continued, there would be "no doubt that 80 per cent of PTI lawmakers will be sentenced," even though they had nothing to do with the offences mentioned in the FIRs.
He urged the government to form a committee to review the "forged cases" registered across Punjab against PTI leaders, workers, and supporters, likening the legal onslaught to a witch hunt.
Opposition MPA Waqas Maan also slammed the ATC verdict, calling it nothing short of "a funeral of justice".
He cautioned the government against sidelining the opposition, reminding it that "times do change".
Meanwhile, PTI leaders convicted by anti-terrorism courts in May 9-related cases asserted on Wednesday that the court rulings could not rattle their resolve, saying they were enduring hardship for the sake of future generations.
The defiance was palpable, even as the gavel fell. According to lawyers present in the courtroom, several PTI leaders smiled stoically as the ATC judge in Lahore began delivering the verdict.
As the judgment was announced, convict Afzal Azeem Pahat chanted slogans in support of Imran Khan, which were echoed by PTI leaders and family members present in the courtroom.
This was the first public reaction after senior PTI leaders, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, former governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Ijaz Chaudhry, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, former minister Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Dr Yasmeen Rashid and others, were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The case against them involved a range of offences, including inciting public unrest, arson, damaging state property and creating anarchy in the wake of the May 9 violence.
Though Shah Mehmood Qureshi was ultimately acquitted, lawyers described him as deeply shaken by the convictions handed down to his fellow party members and workers.
Outside the courtroom, emotions ran high. The wife of former governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema told him, "I'm proud of you", as he calmly responded to his sentence, saying it "does not make a difference to me".
Qureshi's family members also comforted other convicts' families, assuring them of their unwavering support. Despite being elderly, family members gathered around Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, who appeared composed and resolute, saying, "Good time will come" as they were standing on the side of truth.
Dr Yasmeen Rashid and Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed were not present in the courtroom when their sentences were announced.
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