Islamabad, July 31, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly condemned the recent anti-terrorism court verdicts sentencing multiple party leaders to long prison terms in connection with the May 9 protests, calling it a “sad day for democracy in Pakistan.”
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Gohar said PTI would challenge all the convictions in higher courts, stressing the party’s commitment to constitutionalism and legal remedies.
“We will not let democracy derail,” Gohar stated. “We remained within the system despite immense pressure. Our only demand is justice, nothing more, nothing less.”
The PTI chairman criticized the rulings delivered by an Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad earlier today, which sentenced 108 party leaders and workers including sitting members of the National Assembly, Senate, and provincial assemblies to 10-year prison terms.
“Six MNAs, three MPAs, and one senator were convicted,” Gohar said, naming among them Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul and Sahibzada Hamid Raza.
“These decisions, if left unchallenged, could seriously undermine the democratic process.” “Our Mandate Was Stolen, Yet We Remained Peaceful”
Gohar further said that PTI had made every possible effort to ensure parliamentary continuity, despite what he called “relentless political victimization.”
“Our mandate was stolen, our leader [Imran Khan] was jailed, and even his wife was sentenced to create pressure on us,” he said.
“Yet we did not take to the streets. We stayed peaceful, respected the Constitution, and refrained from any form of political violence.”
He added that the party’s future course, including whether to return to Parliament or stage a boycott, would be decided by party founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated.
“Three sentences in three days totaling 45 years, how can democracy survive this?” Gohar asked. “There is still time to save the system.”
Despite being handed a 10-year sentence, Sunni Ittehad Council leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza appeared defiant. “I have no regrets. My conscience is clear,” he said in a brief video message after the verdict.
Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also spoke out in defense of his nephew, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, who was sentenced to two consecutive 10-year terms.
“He was not even present at the site. This is pure injustice,” Rashid said in a video message.
PTI and its allies have vowed to pursue legal recourse while avoiding confrontation or unrest, reiterating their commitment to “upholding democratic norms and the rule of law.”
The party is expected to file appeals in the Lahore High Court in the coming days.
