LHC to hear arguments on 51 May 9 appeals

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned special prosecutors and defense lawyers to present arguments on October 20 in connection with 51 appeals filed by convicts of the May 9 riots case, including convict Shehryar, challenging their sentences awarded by the Gujranwala Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Rizvi heard the appeals, with Advocate Aftab Bajwa and other defense counsels representing the convicts. The appellants were convicted under multiple sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act, while the principal accused in the same case were tried in military courts and sentenced to two years' imprisonment - terms they have already completed.

The appellants argued that the ATC had imposed an additional five-year imprisonment on them for the same incident.