The cases relate to the burning of police vehicles in Lahore’s Gulberg area and the torching of a container near Kalma Chowk during riots that erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The unrest spread across the country and continued for at least 24 hours. During the riots, protesters vandalised government buildings, set military installations on fire, and stormed the residence of the Lahore corps commander.
Following the violence, the state launched a wide crackdown against Imran Khan and PTI leaders, registering multiple cases against the party’s leadership and workers.
ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed heard both cases inside Kot Lakhpat Jail. In total, 22 accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison, while five were acquitted in the Kalma Chowk case.
In the Gulberg case, the court sentenced five accused, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, while 22 others were acquitted.
The judge observed that former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had not yet been indicted. His trial will begin separately after the prosecution submits a supplementary challan.
Read more: A timeline of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s imprisonment
According to prosecutors, 78 witnesses testified in both cases. In the Gulberg case, 33 people were named in the challan, while four were declared proclaimed offenders.
In the Kalma Chowk case, the challan named 36 accused, while 12 others, including Hammad Azhar, Murad Saeed, Zubair Niazi, and Mian Aslam Iqbal, were declared absconders.
The prosecution argued that PTI leaders had instigated party workers to revolt and create public disorder.
Speaking to the media, PTI’s counsel said the cases were meant for routine hearings, but “sentences have been handed down once again in the darkness of night”.
He claimed the defence was not given a full opportunity to present its arguments. “The morale of the prisoners in Kot Lakhpat Jail is high. So far, the leaders have been sentenced to a total of more than 200 years,” he said, adding that the verdicts would be challenged in the high court.
With these rulings, verdicts have now been announced in seven out of 14 May 9 cases registered in Lahore. Earlier decisions covered attacks on Shadman Police Station, Sherpao Bridge, Rahat Bakery, a Supreme Court judge’s vehicle near Jinnah House, and the GOR-I Club Chowk gate.
These verdicts deepen PTI’s legal troubles linked to May 9 violence. Courts appear to be moving steadily on riot cases, while PTI insists the trials were unfair. The final outcome now depends on high court appeals.
