May 9 Violence Case: ATC Awards 10-Year Imprisonment to Yasmin Rashid, Other PTI Figures

LAHORE: In a case involving the May 9 riots, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday convicted four PTI leaders—Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and three others—to ten years in prison.

Inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul pronounced the decision. However, the court cleared 13 people, including top party leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Dr. Rashid was among the 21 defendants whose final comments were recorded during the trial. 56 witnesses were called before the court by the prosecution. The court also mentioned that four of the defendants were proclaimed criminals during the trial.

The attack on the GOR-1 gate during the May 9 unrest prompted the Race Course Police Station to file a case. The FIR claims that the accused assaulted police officers, broke glass panels at the GOR gate, destroyed police wireless equipment, damaged security cameras, and damaged government property.

The prosecution claimed that a mob led by PTI leader Hammad Azhar was responsible for the attack. Both accused who were arrested and those who were granted bail were required to appear in court. During the May 9 turmoil, PTI officials were accused of encouraging party members to rebel and use violence.