An Anti‑Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha on Tuesday handed down 10‑year prison sentences to Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, along with federal Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) lawmakers Ahmed Chattha and Bilal Ejaz, as well as 29 other PTI workers. The convictions relate to the violent nationwide protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former PM Imran Khan.
The court determined that the accused took part in coordinated sabotage during the unrest, including attacks on military installations and public property—most notably the vandalism of the Rawalpindi Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) and storming of the GHQ. All 32 defendants received identical 10‑year sentences. None were required to appear in person, and all have been exempted from court attendance until further notice.
Reacting to the verdict, Bhachar labelled the case “politically motivated,” announcing plans to challenge the decision in Lahore High Court and dismissing suggestions of constitutional breaches. PTI has echoed his stance, calling the verdict a miscarriage of justice.
The federal government, however, defended the outcome. Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik emphasised that the trial was conducted lawfully: “All witnesses were cross‑examined, both sides presented their case, and the verdict is fully in line with the Constitution and legal process.” He affirmed that due process was maintained throughout, with no room for claims of a judiciary miscarriage of justice.
This ruling compounds the ongoing legal setbacks for PTI, which has seen multiple leaders imprisoned or disqualified following the May 9 riots. The Supreme Court recently upheld a decision stripping PTI of reserved seats, further weakening its legislative influence. The timing of this sentencing aligns with heightened friction in the Punjab Assembly, where Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan has suspended more than two dozen opposition lawmakers for disruptions during budget proceedings.
With mounting legal and political pressure, PTI remains defiant. Leader Bhachar affirmed the party would “pursue all legal avenues” and not be intimidated. The sentence deepens the political divide in Pakistan and raises questions about PTI’s future effectiveness both in the courts and the provincial legislature.
#Pakistan #PTI #AhmedBhachar #AhmedChattha #BilalEjaz #May9Riots #AntiTerrorismCourt #PoliticalJustice #PunjabAssembly #PTILegalBattle #Islamabad #PunjabPolitics
