Lahore, July 22, 2025: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Tuesday acquitted senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while sentencing Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and several others to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 riots, particularly the violence at Sherpao Bridge in Lahore.
The unrest followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, from the Islamabad High Court premises, triggering widespread protests across Pakistan that lasted over 24 hours. Protesters vandalised state property, torched government buildings and military installations, and stormed the Lahore corps commander’s residence.
The state launched a broad crackdown against PTI in the aftermath, initiating multiple cases against Imran Khan and party leaders.
Lead defence counsel Advocate Burhan Moazzam Malik confirmed the sentencing. He said those handed down 10-year jail terms included former Punjab minister Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Khalid Qayyum, Riyaz Hussain, Ali Hassan, and Afzal Azeem Pahat.
The court heard final arguments on Monday in a jail trial. Deputy Prosecutor General Abdul Jabbar Dogar argued that the “May 9 conspiracy” was planned on May 7 at Zaman Park, and that the violence was a pre-meditated response in case of Khan’s arrest.
According to Dogar, 61 witnesses testified during the trial, while others provided evidence of the alleged planning meeting at Zaman Park, Khan’s residence. He said the prosecution’s case was backed by documents, video footage, and eyewitness accounts.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan slammed the court’s decision, saying it marked “an addition to the controversial cases of Pakistan’s judiciary.” He implied that the proceedings lacked fairness and were politically motivated.
In a separate case earlier in the day, an ATC in Sargodha sentenced 32 individuals, including Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, to 10 years in jail each over similar charges stemming from the May 9 unrest.
Those convicted included PTI MNA Ahmed Chatha and Former MNA Bilal Ijaz. They were charged with violent protest, arson, and other serious offences.
Malik Ahmed Bhachar announced plans to challenge the ATC ruling in the Lahore High Court, calling the case “politically motivated” and in “violation of the Constitution.”
“A sentence was announced against me without completing the legal procedures,” he stated.
Bhachar claimed the judiciary had come under government control following the 26th Constitutional Amendment, warning of similar judgments in upcoming May 9-related trials.
He added that it was too early to speculate on potential disqualification, and he would wait for the written court order before proceeding with an appeal.
Minister of State for Law, Barrister Aqeel Malik, welcomed the court decisions, stating they were “in accordance with the Constitution and law.”
“All 32 people, including Malik Ahmed Bhachar, were sentenced after due process,” he said.
He added:
“The law is equal for everyone, and those who take the law into their own hands should also be ready to face the consequences. The world has witnessed justice being served today.”
The minister emphasized that the May 9 arson and vandalism cases were crystal clear, and such violence could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
