A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced over 100 members of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to various prison terms for their roles in violent protests targeting military sites in 2023.
According to a court order seen by Reuters, 58 of the accused—including PTI’s parliamentary leaders Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz—were handed 10-year jail sentences. Others received terms ranging from one to three years.
The court ruled that the prosecution had “proved its case against the accused without a shadow of doubt.”
The charges stem from the 9 May 2023 nationwide riots following Khan’s arrest, during which protesters attacked military and government facilities, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The current ruling concerns an attack on an intelligence agency’s office in Faisalabad.
While Khan is being tried separately for allegedly inciting the protests, this verdict marks the third mass conviction of PTI members this month. The party said at least 14 of those sentenced are sitting parliamentarians who now face automatic disqualification under Pakistani law—delivering a significant blow to the opposition’s legislative strength.
The PTI, which insists the cases are politically motivated and backed by the military to suppress dissent, said it would challenge the verdict. The military has denied any such campaign.
Another 77 individuals were acquitted due to lack of evidence, according to the court.
Khan, who remains incarcerated on various charges including corruption and revealing state secrets, continues to deny any wrongdoing. His party has announced plans to stage fresh nationwide protests starting 5 August, marking the second anniversary of his imprisonment.
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