In a major escalation of Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis, an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad sentenced 108 opposition leaders and members—mostly from former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party—to 10 years in prison for their roles in the violent protests of May 9, 2023, which targeted key military installations.
Details of the Verdict:
- The sentences were handed down to current and former lawmakers, senior party figures, and activists, including opposition leaders in the National Assembly (Omar Ayub Khan) and Senate (Shibli Faraz), along with other prominent PTI leaders such as Zartaj Gul and Hamid Raza.
- In total, 58 senior officials received 10-year terms, while others were sentenced to one to three years, based on alleged levels of involvement. The court ruled that the prosecution “proved its case without a shadow of doubt,” accusing defendants of conspiracy, incitement, and active participation in assaults on military and government installations.
- Some high-profile PTI figures, including ex-ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Zain Qureshi, were acquitted for lack of evidence, highlighting the selective impact of the crackdown.
Background on May 9, 2023 Protests:
- The violence erupted nationwide after the arrest of Imran Khan on corruption charges—a move his supporters claimed was politically motivated.
- Angry crowds attacked military posts, including the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Corps Commander House in Lahore, and ISI (Intelligence) offices. Damage to government and military property soared into the billions of Pakistani rupees.
- Security forces responded with force, killing at least a dozen people, injuring many more, and arresting thousands of PTI supporters, many of whom have since faced lengthy jail terms, including convictions by military as well as anti-terrorism courts.
Political Impact:
- The verdict represents an unprecedented blow to Imran Khan’s party. Under Pakistani law, conviction on such serious charges results in the immediate loss of parliamentary seats for lawmakers, dramatically reducing PTI’s presence in federal and provincial legislatures.
- PTI leaders and supporters claim the court decisions are part of a wider campaign orchestrated by the military establishment to destroy the party ahead of planned rallies and further elections.
- PTI has vowed to appeal the verdicts, possibly boycott parliamentary proceedings, and pursue mass protests, including a major rally scheduled for August 5 to mark the anniversary of Khan’s jailing.
International Response and Criticism:
- Human rights groups and some Western governments have criticised the mass trials and the use of anti-terror or military courts against civilians, arguing such measures undermine democracy and the right to a fair trial.
Imran Khan’s Legal Troubles:
- Imran Khan himself has been in jail since 2023, convicted in a separate corruption case for which he is serving a 14-year sentence, and is also facing charges related to the May 9 protests. He, like many PTI leaders, claims all charges are politically driven.
This mass sentencing marks one of the harshest crackdowns on the opposition in Pakistan’s recent history, with severe implications for the country’s political landscape as the government seeks to contain dissent and the PTI intensifies its opposition.
