Lahore:
An anti-terrorism Court (ATC) in Sargodha sentenced PTI opposition leader in the Punjab assembly, Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar and other party workers for 10 years in prison every Tuesday.
They were found guilty of involvement in creating law and order disorders, anarchy and arson during the riots on May 9, which broke out after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The ATC judge handed the verdict after hearing detailed arguments and found that the prosecution had created his case. The defense advisers claimed that the defendants were not involved in the charges brought against them, claiming that these were politically motivated cases. They further stated that there was no significant documentation available to associate their clients with the offenses described in the FIR.
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However, the prosecution opposed to presenting concrete evidence that establishes the accompanying involvement. They argued that the defendants encouraged public turmoil, which led to violent incidents across the country.
FIR included charges under anti-terrorism laws related to vandalism, arson and incentive to riots under protests that followed Imran Khan’s arrest.
According to the trial, the defendants were found guilty of harmful public property, setting up buildings on fire and causing turmoil.
ATC gave the verdict after a thorough examination of the evidence, testimony and police reports.
‘Black Democracy Day’
PTI’s Deputy Attorney General of the Punjab Assembly, Moeen Riaz Qureshi, called the judgments handed down by the ATC Court as the “Black Democratic Day”, stating that legislators, including opposition leader in the largest province, were illegally convicted of fabricated evidence and witnesses.
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He emphasized that every child in Pakistan is aware of these cases and that the public is fully informed of the behavior of the court. PTI will challenge the ATC Court’s decision in the Court of Appeal. Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the opposition leader, will continue to act as opposition leader in the future.
PTI’s head whisk in the Punjab assembly, Rana Shahbaz Ahmad, declared that such decisions would not force them to bow as they are firm for a case and the future of the nation.
May 9th riots
The May 9 riots broke out nationwide following the arrest of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests that targeted both civilian and military installations, including Jinnah House and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawal Pindi.
The military condemned the events as a “black day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
As a result of the turmoil, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court sentenced 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60.
In January, 19 had their sentences pardoned after successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of pardens.
The military lawsuits were originally stopped after a Supreme Court Recovery, but were resumed following the court’s instructions to end pending cases and advertise judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.
