Lahore ATC Delivers Key Verdicts in May 9 Riots: Qureshi Freed in One Case, Rashid & Chaudhry Handed 10-Year Sentences

In a series of pivotal judgments emanating from the May 9 riots, a Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has delivered mixed fortunes for prominent leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). While former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted in a significant case related to the Askari Tower vandalism, two other senior party figures, Dr.

Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry, were handed down severe 10-year jail sentences for their alleged involvement in the same incident.

The verdicts, announced by ATC Judge Arshad Bhutta, have sent ripples through Pakistan's political landscape, highlighting the ongoing legal ramifications stemming from the widespread protests and alleged acts of arson and vandalism that erupted across the country following PTI Chairman Imran Khan's arrest on May 9, 2023.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a central figure in PTI, was acquitted in the Askari Tower vandalism case due to what the court deemed insufficient evidence to link him directly to the incident.

Despite this acquittal, Qureshi's legal troubles are far from over, as he remains incarcerated in other high-profile cases, most notably the cipher case, which alleges the leakage of classified state documents. His brief moment of relief was immediately overshadowed by the reality of continued detention.

Conversely, Dr.

Yasmin Rashid, a former provincial health minister, and Ejaz Chaudhry, a senior PTI leader, faced a much graver outcome. Both were convicted for their roles in the Askari Tower incident, with the court handing them each a 10-year imprisonment term. The judgment cited their alleged incitement and involvement in the acts of vandalism and arson that plagued the Askari Tower on that tumultuous day.

Following the pronouncement of their sentences, both leaders were arrested from within the courtroom premises, underscoring the swift and immediate enforcement of the judicial decision.

The May 9 riots, triggered by Imran Khan's arrest, saw unprecedented protests, with several state and military installations allegedly targeted and vandalized.

The crackdown that followed led to the arrest of thousands of PTI workers and leaders, many of whom have faced trials in both civilian and military courts under various charges, including terrorism.

This latest set of verdicts adds to a growing list of judicial decisions impacting PTI leadership.

Earlier, several other PTI leaders, including Sanam Javed, had also been convicted in connection with other May 9-related cases, facing sentences ranging from a few months to several years. The consistent legal action against the party's top brass signals a continued governmental push to hold accountable those deemed responsible for the events of May 9.

As the legal battles persist, the future of many PTI leaders remains uncertain, with the courts playing a crucial role in shaping the country's political narrative.