9 May Violence: Lahore Anti-Terror Court Hands 33-Year Jail to PTI Leader Mehmood-ur-Rasheed

Lahore | May 9 cases verdict: The Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore has issued the written verdict for two cases related to violence, arson, and vehicle burning in Gulberg on May 9.

The court acquitted 23 accused due to lack of evidence. However, seven individuals, including senior PTI leaders, were found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment.

PTI senior leader Mehmood-ur-Rasheed was sentenced to 33 years in jail along with a fine of Rs 600,000. The court stated that Rasheed received separate punishments under different charges.

Other PTI leaders, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry, were sentenced to 10 years in prison each.

The verdict revealed that Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry were present at meetings planning the unrest. According to the prosecution, four leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, spread chaos among the public to incite arson and violence.

The court reviewed evidence presented by the prosecution, including WhatsApp messages, details from 70 social media accounts, and forensic reports. The investigation by the JIT (Joint Investigation Team) concluded that the accused were responsible. The accused did not challenge the JIT report in any forum.

While the accused claimed innocence in their final statements, the court relied on the evidence and delivered sentences accordingly.