Lahore, January 8, 2025: Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have been indicted by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in a case related to the May 9 riots. The hearing, presided over by Judge Manzar Ali Gul, took place at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where the accused denied all charges.
The riots followed the arrest of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. Violent protests erupted across the country, resulting in attacks on military and civilian properties, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The unrest caused at least eight deaths and over 290 injuries.
Law enforcement agencies arrested 1,900 individuals nationwide in connection with the riots. Cases were also filed against Imran Khan, party leaders, and workers.
In December, military courts sentenced 60 more civilians to prison terms for their roles in violent attacks during the May 9 riots. These trials resumed following a Supreme Court ruling lifting a previous suspension.
The convicts were found guilty of attacking key military and government installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, the ISI office in Faisalabad, and Bannu Cantt. The military assured that all legal rights were upheld during the trials, and all convicts retain the right to appeal.
The May 9 riots marked one of the most violent episodes in the country’s recent history, with PTI leaders and supporters facing significant legal consequences. The ATC is expected to continue proceedings in the coming weeks.
