Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday announced its decision to challenge all recent convictions related to the May 9 riots, calling them legally flawed and politically motivated.
The announcement came shortly after the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore handed down 10-year sentences to several PTI leaders, including former Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and ex-minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid, in the Sherpao Bridge (Pul) vandalism case.
The court acquitted six accused, including former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Hamza Azeem, citing lack of evidence. However, nine others, among them prominent party figures Ijaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Khalid Qayyum, Riaz Hussain, Ali Hassan, and Afzal Azeem, were sentenced to a decade behind bars under terrorism charges.
Separately, the ATC in Sargodha also sentenced 32 PTI workers and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar to 10 years in prison in connection with incidents that occurred during the May 9 protests.
‘Controversial and unjust’: PTI slams judiciary
Reacting strongly to the verdicts, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, flanked by party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Babar Awan, addressed a press conference in Islamabad. He termed the judgments as part of a “new wave of controversial decisions” and alleged that legal procedures were being ignored in politically sensitive cases.
“There is no shortage of controversial decisions in this country, and today that number has only increased,” Barrister Gohar remarked. He questioned the integrity of the judicial process, stating, “How can one case be tried in multiple jurisdictions? We demanded a fair trial but were denied justice at every stage.”
He further claimed that the verdicts against PTI leaders, including sitting parliamentarians, indicated a systemic failure of the judiciary. “These judgments have caused people to lose faith in the justice system,” he added, alleging that trials continued until late at night without due process.
‘Not a political issue, but a national one’
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja echoed similar concerns, describing the situation as a national crisis rather than a party-specific grievance.
“This is not just PTI’s issue anymore — it’s about justice for every citizen,” he said. “In many places, cases have been built on the statements of just one complainant. That cannot meet the threshold of fair justice.”
Mr Raja warned that the continued use of anti-terrorism laws against political workers could further erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
‘Misuse of anti-terror laws’
PTI leader and legal expert Babar Awan also lashed out at the judgments, asserting that the individuals convicted were “innocent” and that the legal provisions used against them had been misapplied.
“The Constitution is clear on when terrorism laws can be invoked,” Mr Awan said. “You cannot call every political gathering an act of terror. This is a dangerous precedent.”
He further said the party would immediately move the Lahore High Court to challenge all convictions. “Our legal team is prepared. These sentences will not stop PTI’s struggle,” he declared.
