ATC Sentences 10-Year Jail Terms to PTI Leaders in Riot Case

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and several PTI workers have each been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti‑terrorism court in Sargodha over their involvement in vandalism during the May 9, 2023 riots, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The case—filed in Mianwali—focused on attacks tied to nationwide protests sparked by PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest, which saw mobs vandalise key military and civilian institutions, including the GHQ in Rawalpindi. A total of 32 accused, including Bachar, were granted exemption from personal court appearances.

Bachar was absent during the verdict announcement. The ruling deepens legal troubles for the former governing party, already reeling from multiple May 9 cases carried out in military and anti‑terrorism courts.