ATC hands 10-year jail terms to Yasmin Rashid, Omar Cheema, and other PTI leaders in May 9 cases

A special anti-terrorism court in Lahore sentenced Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, and others to ten years in prison in another case related to the May 9 incident. However, no charges have yet been filed against PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in connection with these cases.

Judge Arshad Javed delivered the verdicts on Saturday in two separate cases at Kot Lakhpat Jail, in which vehicles and a container were set ablaze in the city.

In the case concerning the container set on fire at Kalma Chowk, the court sentenced 37 accused. Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed received ten-year prison terms each, while twelve accused, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, were declared absconders.

In the case related to the burning of police vehicles in Gulberg, the court sentenced 20 of the accused, while five defendants—including Sajawal Nadeem, Zaman Qadri, Shahroz, Muhammad Kabir, and Ali Hassan—were acquitted. A total of 33 accused were tried in this case.

“The court has issued a reserved judgment in both cases,” said the ATC, confirming the verdicts were read at Kot Lakhpat Jail. The cases were filed by Nasirabad Police, with FIR numbers 1078/23 (Nasirabad Police Station) and 1280/23 (Gulberg Police Station). The prosecution presented a total of 36 accused in the Kalma Chowk container case.

Read More: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years

Earlier, a special court sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case, which centres on allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

Special Judge Central Arjumand Shah announced the verdict on Saturday at Adiala Jail in the presence of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. According to the written judgement issued by the court, the prosecution successfully proved its case, and both accused were found guilty of the offence.

A day earlier, ATC in Lahore delivered its verdict in another May 9 case, sentencing Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed to 10 years in prison each, while Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted of all charges in the case.

These PTI leaders have previously been sentenced by various courts in Punjab in connection with incidents of unrest on May 9, 2023, when party supporters reportedly engaged in attacks on government and military properties following the arrest of PTI founder founder Imran Khan.

The court also ordered the arrest and production of four proclaimed offenders, named Farooq Anjum, Habib Ahmed, Arsalan, and Akbar Khan.

Judge Manzer Ali Gill pronounced the verdict at Kot Lakhpat Jail, after the court had reserved its judgment following the completion of trial proceedings. A total of 56 prosecution witnesses testified during the trial. The 25 accused named in the case included Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed. Their charge sheet had been presented before the court in full.

Also Read : ATC reserves verdict in GOR Gate attack case

The case, registered at Races Course Police Station, pertains to the attack on Club Chowk, GOR Gate, where the accused allegedly damaged security cameras, broke police wireless equipment and gate glass, attacked officials, and vandalised public property.

May 9 Riots

The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more.

In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalise pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.