An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad has sentenced 59 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters to 10 years in prison. Among those convicted are Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and other senior figures. The verdict relates to the May 9, 2023, attack on the Faisalabad home of Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Rana Sanaullah. The case was the fourth and final one tied to the city’s riots that day.
In total, the court convicted 75 out of 109 accused, including ex-lawmakers and party members. Others sentenced include former MPA Farah Agha, former MNAs Kanwal Shauzab and Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, and SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza. They each received 10-year sentences. Additionally, 16 lower-tier activists were handed 3-year jail terms. All convictions were made in absentia, with most accused not present in court.
However, not all faced the same fate. The court acquitted 34 individuals, including former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi, son of Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The acquittals were based on lack of evidence. Earlier, separate ATC rulings in related May 9 cases had already cleared or convicted others. Together, the rulings reflect a broad legal crackdown following the violent unrest.
The May 9 violence erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. Widespread protests, riots, and attacks on military and government sites were reported across Pakistan. In response, multiple cases were registered against PTI members in cities including Faisalabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Security forces were deployed in several regions to restore order, and hundreds were arrested.
The fresh ruling marks another major legal setback for PTI, already under pressure from court decisions and disqualifications. The Election Commission of Pakistan recently disqualified several party lawmakers, including some of the convicted leaders. PTI continues to face dozens of cases tied to May 9 events, adding to its deepening political and legal challenges.