May 9: IHC overturns sentence of 4 PTI workers
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who had been convicted in connection with the May 9 riots.
The convicts had challenged their sentences in the IHC.
Earlier, the ATC, headed by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, had sentenced Sohail Khan, Mohammad Akram, Shahzeb and Mira Khan to 10 years in prison on May 30 for their alleged involvement in attacking a police station in Islamabad's Ramna area.
The convicts had been charged under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing official duty), 188 (disobeying order of a public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault on public servants), 436 (arson) and 440 (mischief); Section 144 of CrPC; and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
They were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment under Section 7 ATA, five years under Section 324 of PPC, four under Section 436, two each under sections 353 and 148.
In total, 11 PTI members, including MNA Abdul Latif, were sentenced, but only four were arrested while the remaining suspects are still at large.
May 9, 2023, refers to the day when former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was taken into custody by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises on charges of corruption.
The PTI founder's arrest sparked countrywide protests, during which demonstrators allegedly belonging to the former ruling party vandalized state-owned buildings and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's House, commonly known as Jinnah House.
Following the protests, several PTI leaders and workers were arrested on various charges, including setting government infrastructure on fire.
On Thursday, a divisional bench of IHC comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo overturned the verdict of ATC, declaring the sentences void after hearing arguments from both sides.
PTI lawyers, including Babar Awan, Sardar Masroof and Amna Ali, represented the appellants in the IHC.
Awan argued that out of nine prosecution witnesses, only one — ASI Muhammad Sharif — identified the accused. He said no injuries were reported despite allegations of gunfire.
"Punish for crimes proven, but do not turn the system into a joke," he told the court.
Justice Somroo questioned the prosecution about the evidence to which the prosecutor responded that evidence existed but requested additional time to present it. The court, however, rejected this plea, observing that all arguments had already been heard.
The bench noted that no medico-legal certificates (MLCs) or injured persons were presented and questioned the basis for convictions without proving the accused were present at the crime scene.
The IHC observed that none of the witnesses had stated in their testimonies that the accused were present at the site.
The bench further questioned whether the court was now expected to convict solely on the basis of an identification parade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
May 9: IHC overturns sentence of 4 PTI workers
Listen to article The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who had been convicted in connection with the May 9 riots. The convicts had challenged their sentences in the IHC. Earlier, the ATC, headed by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, had sentenced Sohail Khan, Mohammad Akram, Shahzeb and Mira Khan to 10 years in prison on May 30 for their alleged involvement in attacking a police station in Islamabad's Ramna area. The convicts had been charged under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing official duty), 188 (disobeying order of a public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault on public servants), 436 (arson) and 440 (mischief); Section 144 of CrPC; and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. They were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment under Section 7 ATA, five years under Section 324 of PPC, four under Section 436, two each under sections 353 and 148. In total, 11 PTI members, including MNA Abdul Latif, were sentenced, but only four were arrested while the remaining suspects are still at large. May 9, 2023, refers to the day when former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was taken into custody by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises on charges of corruption. The PTI founder's arrest sparked countrywide protests, during which demonstrators allegedly belonging to the former ruling party vandalized state-owned buildings and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's House, commonly known as Jinnah House. Following the protests, several PTI leaders and workers were arrested on various charges, including setting government infrastructure on fire. On Thursday, a divisional bench of IHC comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo overturned the verdict of ATC, declaring the sentences void after hearing arguments from both sides. PTI lawyers, including Babar Awan, Sardar Masroof and Amna Ali, represented the appellants in the IHC. Awan argued that out of nine prosecution witnesses, only one — ASI Muhammad Sharif — identified the accused. He said no injuries were reported despite allegations of gunfire. "Punish for crimes proven, but do not turn the system into a joke," he told the court. Justice Somroo questioned the prosecution about the evidence to which the prosecutor responded that evidence existed but requested additional time to present it. The court, however, rejected this plea, observing that all arguments had already been heard. The bench noted that no medico-legal certificates (MLCs) or injured persons were presented and questioned the basis for convictions without proving the accused were present at the crime scene. The IHC observed that none of the witnesses had stated in their testimonies that the accused were present at the site. The bench further questioned whether the court was now expected to convict solely on the basis of an identification parade.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Unity government: Achakzai offers to hold talks with PM
ISLAMABAD: Mahmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and chairman of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), on Thursday offered to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the formation of a 'unity government' amid what he described as a deepening political and constitutional crisis in the country. Speaking at a presser, Achakzai said that he was prepared to engage with the prime minister solely on the issue of forming a national unity government to steer the country out of the prevalent economic and political crisis. 'Talks with this government are not possible except on the issue of forming a national government. This is not the time to hurl insults at each other as we need unity right now,' he declared. His remarks come days after the Supreme Court, in a 7-5 majority ruling, accepted review petitions that stripped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of its entitlement to seats reserved for women and minorities in both national and provincial assemblies. The decision led to the reallocation of nearly 80 seats to other parliamentary parties. Achakzai criticised the apex court's verdict, describing it as a sign of the broader erosion of democratic values in the country. 'Political parties have begged for seats instead of upholding democratic principles,' he lamented. He accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the judiciary of undermining the 2024 general elections, alleging these institutions manipulated the process to disadvantage PTI. Achakzai said the party's electoral symbol was unjustly revoked and condemned the treatment of its lawmakers and supporters. 'We may have differences with Imran Khan, but the treatment meted out to his party is unjust,' he said, adding that PTI lawmakers and their families were barred from visiting detained members outside Adiala Jail. Recalling the arrests of opposition lawmakers within the premises of parliament last year, Achakzai accused the National Assembly Speaker of bias, accusing him of remaining a silent spectator while such actions took place. He criticised the Speaker's assertion that spy agencies have the authority to tap anyone's calls, describing his silence on the issue as criminal negligence. He urged the Speaker to either fulfil his responsibilities as custodian of the House or consider stepping down. On foreign policy, he denounced Israeli actions in Gaza and called for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be declared a global terrorist for the killing of Palestinians. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
11 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PTI decides to file references against four ‘defectors'
ISLAMABAD: The embattled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday decided to file references with the National Assembly Speaker, seeking the disqualification of four of its MNAs who have now joined the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Talking to reporters, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser blasted the defectors, Chaudhry Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb, Aurangzeb Khichi, and Zahoor Qureshi and branded them backstabbers who ditched party loyalty to join what he called the 'mandate theft regime.' 'These members secured their seats on PTI's platform, swore loyalty on the holy Quran, and now have shamelessly turned their backs,' Qaiser said, vowing that the party would file formal references for their disqualification with NA Speaker. He said the party had finalised action against the MNAs for breaking party discipline during the vote on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, adding the reference will be submitted to NA Speaker in the next few days. But insiders close to PTI admit there is little chance these actions will lead to any real consequences, given the prevailing political climate. Meanwhile, Asad Qaiser met with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in a diplomatic display underscoring Pakistan's continued reliance on its brotherly ally. He praised Saudi Arabia's rapid development under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and thanked the kingdom for its unwavering support during Pakistan's toughest moments. The ambassador, in turn, reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to boosting economic ties and lauded the Pakistani diaspora – especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal regions – for their vital role in Saudi Arabia's growth. 'We consider Pakistan our second home,' Al-Malki said, stressing that stability and prosperity in Pakistan remain a key Saudi interest. A parliamentary delegation from the Saudi Shura Council is expected in Pakistan next month, signalling deepening ties despite Pakistan's ongoing political upheavals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
