PTI Slams May 9 Verdicts as Political, Vows Legal Battle

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Tuesday that it will contest all recent convictions stemming from the May 9 riots, labeling the verdicts as politically driven and legally unsound.

The statement followed a decision by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore, which sentenced several senior PTI leaders—including former Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid and ex-minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid—to 10 years in prison over the vandalism case at Sherpao Bridge (Pul).

The court acquitted six individuals, including former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, due to insufficient evidence. However, nine others, including prominent PTI members Ijaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Khalid Qayyum, Riaz Hussain, Ali Hassan, and Afzal Azeem, were given decade-long sentences under anti-terrorism laws.

In a separate ruling, the ATC in Sargodha sentenced 32 PTI activists and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar to 10 years in connection with May 9 protest-related incidents.

PTI Condemns Verdicts as ‘Unjust and Controversial’

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan—accompanied by party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Babar Awan—criticized the judgments, calling them part of a broader pattern of biased decisions.

“There is no shortage of controversial verdicts in this country—and today, that list has grown,” said Barrister Gohar. He raised concerns about procedural irregularities, asking, “How can a single case be prosecuted in multiple courts? We asked for a fair trial, but justice was denied.”

He argued that the rulings reflect a broader institutional failure, claiming they have further eroded public trust in the judiciary. “These trials went on late into the night without proper legal process,” he added.

‘A National Crisis, Not Just a PTI Matter’

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja echoed these concerns, framing the issue as one of national importance rather than just a party concern.

“This is no longer just about PTI—it’s about justice for every citizen,” he said. “In some instances, entire cases were built on the testimony of a single complainant, which is not enough to meet the standards of fair justice.”

He warned that continued misuse of anti-terrorism laws against political opponents could seriously damage the credibility of democratic institutions.

‘Misapplication of Terrorism Laws’

Babar Awan, PTI leader and legal adviser, also slammed the convictions, asserting that those sentenced were innocent and wrongly prosecuted under terrorism statutes.

“The Constitution clearly defines when terrorism laws can apply,” said Mr. Awan. “Labeling political protests as acts of terror sets a dangerous precedent.”

He announced that PTI’s legal team would soon file appeals in the Lahore High Court to challenge all convictions. “We are fully prepared. These verdicts will not derail PTI’s movement,” he vowed.