ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday sentenced Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif and four other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members to 27 years in prison for their role in attacking a police station during the violent May 9 riots.
The court also imposed fines totaling Rs327,000 on the accused.
Details of the Conviction and Sentences
The May 9, 2023 riots erupted after PTI supporters protested the arrest of party founder Imran Khan, leading to widespread violence across Pakistan. Protesters targeted military installations, state buildings, and even attacked the residence of the Lahore corps commander. The Ramna police station in Islamabad was one of the sites attacked during the unrest.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra of ATC Special Court-II found the accused guilty under several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. The sentences, which include 27 years of imprisonment, will run concurrently.
Abdul Latif, elected from NA-1 Chitral, was absent during the verdict and will be disqualified from holding public office for five years following his conviction.
The court emphasized the importance of peaceful protests and condemned the lawlessness shown during the riots. The judge noted, “If you attack your own police stations, the country will no longer be livable.”
Charges and Further Legal Actions
The accused were charged with offenses including attempted murder of police personnel, arson, vandalism, and obstruction of public servants.
Specific charges included rigorous imprisonment under the Anti-Terrorism Act, fines for burning a motorcycle, and imprisonment for joining unlawful assemblies armed with deadly weapons.
Eleven individuals were convicted, including Abdul Latif, Zariyab Khan, Muhammad Akram, Meera Khan, and others. Police immediately took four present accused into custody, while arrest warrants were issued for others absent from court.
This verdict follows earlier military court rulings in December 2024, where 85 civilians were sentenced for similar offenses linked to the May 9 riots. Some convicts were later pardoned on humanitarian grounds.
The legal proceedings highlight ongoing efforts to address the violent incidents surrounding the political unrest in Pakistan.
