An anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad has sentenced 75 PTI leaders and workers in a case related to the events of May-9
It sentenced 59 individuals to 10 years each and 16 others to three-year each for attack on Rana Sanaullah’s house. Samanabad Police Station had implicated a total 109 individuals in the attack on PML-N senior leader’s house on May 9, 2023. After losing election to PTI-backed Nisar Jutt from his home constituency NA-100, Rana Sana is now serving as Prime Minister Special Assistant on Political Affairs.
General Election in Pakistan held on Feb 8, 2024, 10-month after the May-9 riots. Like others, Nisar Jutt also contested election without PTI symbol, Bat.The party lost the symbol after the controversial decision by the then Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa led Supreme Court.
Faisalabad court on Monday acquitted 34 individuals, including PTI MNA Zain Qureshi and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry.
Those who were sentenced to 10 years include Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Ahmed Chattah and Ismael Sela. The court announced 10-year jail for Shakil Niazi, Ashraf Sohna and Mohar Javed. The court has announced the sentence in the absence of many accused.
Past Verdicts:
Monday’s verdict announced by the ATC Faisalabad is a second of the nature from the district in less than a month.
Earlier, on July 31, the ATC in Faisalabad has also announced sentence to PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz 10 years imprisonment. The court also announced 10-year jail to Sahibzada Hamid Raza of Sunni Ittehad Council, the PTI ally.
Police had registered cases against PTI leaders and workers in different districts following May 9 riots. So far, anti-terrorism courts in Lahore, Sargodha and Faisalabad had announced decisions on the cases. The PTI supporters on May 9, 2023 have staged violent protest demonstrations across Pakistan against the arrest of their leader Imran Khan. The authorities said PTI workers vandalised military installations and state-owned buildings and also attacked the Lahore corps commander’s residence. The PTI, however, denies allegations, terming it a conspiracy against it.
Faisalabad ATC on July 31 sentenced 108 individuals out of 185 accused.
