GHQ Attack Case: 47 Convicts, Including Umar Ayub and Murad Saeed, Sentenced 10 Years in Prison

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has announced its verdict in the 9 May GHQ attack case, sentencing 47 absconding accused to 10 years in prison each.

The decision was delivered by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who also imposed fines of PKR 500,000 on each convict and ordered the confiscation of their properties.

Among those sentenced are Umar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz, Hammad Azhar, Kanwal Shauzab, and Rashid Shafiq. Others include Shahbaz Gul, Zulfikar Bhatti, Muhammad Ahmad Chatha, Rai Hasan Nawaz, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza. Additionally, Shoaib Ali Bhatti, Usman Saeed Basra, and Ijaz Khan Jazi were also handed prison terms and fines.

The court noted that the convicts were involved in attacks on the GHQ gate, Hamza Camp, and the Army Museum. According to the JIT report, the accused played central roles in planning violent protests.

The verdict states that the convicts were responsible for arson, vandalism, attacks on police, and damage to government property on 9 May. Charges were initially framed against 118 individuals, including PTI founder and Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in December 2024.

The court also mentioned that statements of 44 prosecution witnesses have been recorded so far. Of the 118 accused, 18 were repeatedly absent during the trial, and 29 never appeared in court after charges were framed.

The ATC conducted separate trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act for the 47 absconding accused. The prosecution filed a request for action against them on 6 January 2026, and the court issued notices. On 8 January 2026, public notices were issued for the 47 fugitives, giving them seven days to surrender. However, none appeared before the court despite these orders.

This verdict comes as part of ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators of violent incidents accountable and ensure justice for attacks on national institutions.