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ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Sargodha on Tuesday handed down 10-year prison sentences to Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, federal lawmakers Ahmed Chattha and Bilal Ejaz along with a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in connection with violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023.
The unrest followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by paramilitary forces in Islamabad, which triggered protests in different parts of the country. Demonstrators stormed military installations and government buildings, prompting a sweeping state crackdown.
Thousands of PTI members and supporters were arrested, dozens were charged under anti-terrorism laws and some were tried in military courts. The protests also led to a wave of high-profile defections from the party, as many leaders publicly distanced themselves from the events under apparent pressure.
“Yes, it’s true” Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide of Imran Khan and former federal minister, said in a statement. “The ATC judge announced 10 years sentence for opposition leader Punjab assembly and two others. MNAs Ahmed Chatha and Bilal Ejaz’s names weren’t even in supplementary documents but the judge sentenced them anyway.”
The development comes as PTI faces mounting pressure across political and judicial fronts. In the Punjab Assembly, tensions have flared in recent weeks, with Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan suspending 26 opposition lawmakers in recent weeks over disorder during the provincial budget speech.
The speaker also suggested some members could face disqualification, citing repeated violations of constitutional decorum.
Khan, the PTI founder and former Pakistan premier, remains imprisoned on a range of charges he says are fabricated. The party’s legal standing was further weakened after a Supreme Court ruling last month upheld a decision stripping PTI of its claim to reserved seats for women and minorities, significantly limiting its representation in legislatures.
While the PTI questioned the court’s decision, the government said the due process of law was upheld and there was no miscarriage of justice.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said the court had listened to all the witnesses and recorded their statements. Subsequently, they were also cross-examined.
“Both sides gave their closing statements and today the verdict that was announced is according to the constitution and law,” he added.