LHC splits verdict in May 9 appeals

Court frees Pahat, denies relief to Chaudhry and Rasheed

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) delivered a split verdict on appeals seeking suspension of sentences in the May 9 riot cases on Tuesday, suspending the sentence of PTI leader Afzal Azeem Pahat while rejecting similar pleas of Ejaz Chaudhry and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Shahbaz Rizvi heard the appeals against convictions awarded by an ATC in Lahore, which had sentenced the accused to 10 years imprisonment in cases related to the May 9 unrest.

The court suspended Pahat's sentence in a case of rioting and arson at Sherpao Bridge and ordered his release. The bench dismissed four applications filed by Chaudhry and one by Rasheed seeking suspension of their sentences in similar cases.

During proceedings, defence counsel Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq argued that the ATC verdicts were contrary to facts and that the convicts had already spent over two and a half years in jail, requesting suspension of sentences until final decisions in the main appeals.

The special prosecutor opposed the pleas, contending that the May 9 incidents were part of a premeditated conspiracy aimed at destabilising the country.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment and later announced the verdict.

Last year in December, ATC Lahore had 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.

In another May 9 case, ATC Lahore sentenced Dr Yasmin, Cheema, Chaudhary, 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 Imran Khan.