On July 31, 2025, a landmark verdict reverberated across Pakistan when a Faisalabad Anti‑Terrorism Court (ATC) handed ten-year prison terms to senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) over their alleged involvement in the violent May 9, 2023 riots Business Recorder+14Dawn+14Financial Times+14.
Among the 108 individuals convicted out of 185 accused, 58—including six prominent parliamentarians—received the full 10-year sentences, while others faced shorter terms between one and three years Dawn+4The Express Tribune+4Pakistan Today+4. High-profile figures including Omar Ayub Khan (PTI’s leader in the National Assembly), Shibli Faraz (Senate leader), Zartaj Gul Wazir, and MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza were sentenced to rigorous jail terms along with fines of Rs 1 million each, under sections concerning abetment , conspiracy, and common intent in the Pakistan Penal Code YouTube+9Dawn+9Arab News+9.
In contrast, several notable PTI members were acquitted for lack of evidence—namely Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Ahmad Kastro, among 77 others Business Recorder+13The Express Tribune+13Dawn+13. Junaid Afzal Sahi, a PTI Punjab Assembly member, received a three-year sentence for arson-related charges Business Recorder+2Dawn+2Dawn+2.
The court concluded that for the 17 key figures, the prosecution’s case was proven “without a shadow of doubt,” justifying harsh sentences under multiple PPC sections and the Anti-Terrorism Act (Section 7), which also carried property forfeiture orders Business Recorder+2Reuters+2Dawn+2.
The May 9 episode erupted when PTI supporters—reacting to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court—unleashed violent riots that targeted military installations, government buildings, and even the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence. Damage reportedly exceeded Rs 1.98 billion; over 3,200 arrests were made as protests turned violent nationwide Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3.
The verdict drew swift, polarized reactions. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denounced the judgments as “politically motivated” and vowed to challenge them in higher courts. He also announced plans to consult Imran Khan on whether the party should re-enter parliament or escalate its agitation ahead of planned protests on August 5, marking the anniversary of Khan’s jailing Business Recorder+4Dawn+4Dawn+4.
Conversely, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar welcomed the rulings as vindication of the rule of law and the justice system. He insisted the trials were fair, thorough, and based on incontrovertible evidence—including video footage and witness testimony Arab News.
Human rights groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), expressed concern over the use of anti-terror legislation in civilian trials, warning that such measures may undermine procedural fairness and democratic norms WikipediaWikipedia.
This sweeping judicial action marks the third mass conviction of PTI members in July 2025, further weakening the party’s representation in the National and Provincial Assemblies under Pakistani law Reuters. The court also issued non-bailable warrants for dozens more PTI leaders—including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Hamid Raza, and Sheikh Rashid Shafiq—who reportedly skipped court appearances Arab News+10The Express Tribune+10Pakistan Today+10.
In brief, this verdict shakes Pakistan’s political landscape: major party leaders sidelined, hundreds convicted on terrorism charges, parliamentary strength significantly reduced, and a volatile confrontation looming ahead between PTI and the establishment as nationwide protests loom in early August.
