Punjab Assembly opposition leader, PTI workers sentenced to 10 years in May 9 case

• MNA Ahmed Chattha also among PTI leaders sentenced to jail.
• Opposition Leader Bachar not present in ATC at time of verdict.
• All accused granted exemption from personal appearance.

An anti-terrorism court in Sargodha on Tuesday sentenced Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers to 10 years each in prison in vandalism case related to May 9 riots.

Bachar was not present in the court at the time of pronouncement of the verdict.

The case was registered in Mianwali over vandalism and riots related to the protests triggered by the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in a corruption case on May 9, 2023.

All 32 accused including Bachar were granted exemption from personal appearance by the court.

Last month, the Lahore High Court (LHC) dismissed the bail petitions of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight separate cases related to the May 9 riots, including the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore.

Previously, on November 27, 2024, the ATC had dismissed Imran's bail pleas in these eight cases.

May 9 mayhem

The May 9, 2023, events refer to the violent protests that broke out in several parts of the country following the arrest of the PTI founder and saw attacks on public properties and military installations, including Corps Commander House Lahore, also known as Jinnah House.

The riots were triggered by the arrest of ex-premier Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a graft case.

Several PTI leaders and workers were released on bail after their arrests, while many still remain behind bars.

The deposed prime minister, who was ousted from power via the opposition's no-confidence motion in April 2022, has been behind bars since August 2023 as he was facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism.