RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday sentenced 47 proclaimed offenders, including prominent PTI leaders Hammad Azhar, Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul, to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ). District and Sessions Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over ATC No. 1 and issued a 16-page judgment.
Convictions and Penalties
The court also convicted Senator Shibli Faraz, Murad Saeed, Shahbaz Gill, Zulfi Bukhari, and former MNAs Kanwal Shauzab, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Muhammad Ahmed Chattha, and Sheikh Rashid Shafique. Each convict was fined Rs500,000 and their property was ordered to be confiscated by the state.
Several of those sentenced – including Ayub, Faraz, Gul, Nawaz, and Chattha – have already been convicted in other cases related to the May 9 riots, resulting in their disqualification from holding public office. Other convicted individuals include Rai Muhammad Murtaza Iqbal, Shoukat Ali Bhatti, Usman Saeed Basra, Ijaz Khan Jazi, Malik Abid Hussain, Zahid Abbas Choudhary, Faisal Mukhtar, and Muzamil Masood Bhatti.
The May 9 Unrest and Legal Proceedings
The May 9 protests erupted after Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, leading to attacks on government buildings and military installations, including the GHQ in Rawalpindi. Following the unrest, a crackdown was launched against the PTI, resulting in dozens of terrorism cases being filed against its leaders and supporters. The court found the accused involved in attacks on GHQ Gate No 1, Hamza Camp, the Army Museum, and the Sixth Road Metro Station.
A total of 118 individuals, including Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were initially indicted in the case. Statements from 44 prosecution witnesses have been recorded. Eighteen of the accused were consistently absent during the trial, although 29 never appeared after the case was registered. A separate trial was conducted for the 47 proclaimed offenders under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Absconders and Future Possibilities
The court observed that 18 of the accused had knowledge of the trial but wilfully absented themselves, while 29 never appeared at all. The court clarified that those convicted are entitled to a retrial if they surrender within two months or demonstrate a valid reason for their absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted these convictions?
The convictions stem from the violent incidents that occurred during protests on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of Imran Khan, specifically relating to attacks on the GHQ and other installations.
What penalties were imposed on the convicted individuals?
Each of the 47 convicted individuals was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Rs500,000, with their property also ordered to be confiscated.
Is there any recourse for the convicted individuals?
The court stated that the convicts are entitled to a retrial if they surrender within two months or provide a valid reason for their absence.
As these convictions unfold, it remains to be seen whether the convicted individuals will choose to surrender and seek a retrial, and what impact this case will have on the broader political landscape in Pakistan.
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