PTI leaders get 10-year sentences in 9 may case, Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted
Court announces major 9 May case verdict
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) delivered its reserved judgment in the high-profile 9 May case at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Administrative Judge Manzar Ali Gill announced the decision in connection with the violence that took place in Lahore’s Mughalpura area during the May 9 incidents.
The case involved allegations that protesters set police vehicles on fire and were involved in violent unrest. The prosecution claimed the accused played key roles in planning and encouraging the protests.
Senior PTI leaders sentenced
Under the ATC verdict Pakistan, senior PTI leaders sentenced include Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former Punjab minister Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed and former provincial minister Umar Sarfraz Cheema. Each of them was awarded 10 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, the accused encouraged party workers to take part in violent demonstrations, public disorder and acts of vandalism during the May 9 protests.
The PTI leaders sentenced were convicted after the court reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted
In a significant development, Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted after the court found that the available evidence was not sufficient to prove the charges against him.
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The ATC verdict Pakistan stated that the prosecution failed to establish his involvement beyond the required legal standard. The decision makes Shah Mahmood Qureshi acquitted one of the biggest developments in the 9 May case verdict.
Evidence presented during the trial
The 9 May case included a total of 22 accused. Two had already been declared proclaimed offenders, while the court announced its verdict for the remaining 20 individuals.
During the trial, prosecutors presented statements from 37 witnesses along with documentary and other evidence. Based on this material, the prosecution requested the conviction of the accused, leading to several PTI leaders sentenced under the court's ruling.
