An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad has handed down prison sentences to 108 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in connection with the violent protests that took place on May 9, 2023. Among those convicted are prominent opposition figures from both houses of Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, MNA Zartaj Gul, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, and Sheikh Rashid’s nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Additionally, Punjab Assembly member Junaid Afzal Sahi received a three-year prison sentence. However, former federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro were acquitted of all charges.
This verdict follows a pattern of strict judicial action related to the May 9 incidents. On July 22, 2025, the ATC in Sargodha had sentenced 32 PTI leaders and workers—including Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bachar—to 10 years in prison in connection with protests in Mianwali. Following that decision, the Election Commission declared Bachar ineligible, and the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly was officially vacated.
It is important to note that on December 21, 2024, a military court sentenced 25 individuals to up to 10 years in prison for involvement in the May 9 riots. Days later, on December 26, 2024, the same court sentenced 60 more individuals—including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassaan Niazi—to rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years.
However, on January 2, 2025, the Pakistan Army’s Courts of Appeal announced pardons for 19 convicts involved in the May 9 incidents.
The May 9 events continue to have far-reaching political and legal consequences across Pakistan, with courts—both civilian and military—actively pursuing those accused of orchestrating or participating in the violent unrest.
