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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI MNA, ex-MPA among 11 convicted in May 9 rioting case
PTI protesters take to the streets in Lahore on May 9, 2023. SCREENGRAB Listen to article The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday convicted and sentenced 11 individuals to various prison terms and fines in connection with the violence that occurred on May 9, 2023. The charges against them included attacking the Ramna police station, assaulting police personnel, committing arson, and spreading terrorism. Among those convicted were Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of National Assembly Abdul Latif and former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa MPA Wazirzada Kailashi. Following the announcement of the verdict, four of the convicts, Muhammad Akram, Mira Khan, Shahzeb, and Sohail Khan, were arrested from the court premises. Arrest warrants were issued for the remaining seven, namely Abdul Latif, Wazirzada Kailashi, Zaryab Khan, Samuel Robert, Abdul Basit, Shan Ali and Muhammad Yousuf. The verdict, delivered by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, stated that the accused attacked the Ramna police station, opened fire, pelted stones and attempted to kill police officials. They also set motorcycles on fire. According to the court's decision, the accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Rs200,000 each for acts of terrorism. Moreover, they were sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs50,000 each for attempting to kill police personnel; four years in prison and a fine of Rs40,000 each for burning motorcycles; another four years in prison and a Rs40,000 fine each for setting the police station on fire; three months in prison for obstructing police work; and one month in prison for violating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The May 9 cases refer to violent attacks on state installations that followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on corruption charges in 2023. A number of individuals were arrested in these cases, which have been tried by both military courts and anti-terrorism courts in various cities. ATCs across the country continue to hear related cases. In April, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, directed ATCs to conclude proceedings in May 9 cases within four months. In Lahore, 14 cases remain pending in two ATCs, which are currently hearing them on a daily basis at Kot Lakhpat Central Jail. However, a judge of one of these courts noted that the unavailability of case records was creating significant obstacles to meeting the Supreme Court's deadline. ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill wrote to Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah, stating that the police records were not being provided to the deputy prosecutor conducting the trial for various reasons. The judge emphasised that the matter had been brought to the attention of the prosecution office to take necessary steps to ensure that witnesses could be recorded on every hearing date. He cautioned that failing such action, the court would proceed according to the law. It has been observed that the majority of May 9 cases have faced adjournments due to the unavailability of relevant records. On each hearing date, police officials have informed the courts that the case records remain with the Supreme Court. (With input from our Lahore correspondent)
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
ATC convicts 11, including PTI's Abdul Latif, for May 9 violence
PTI protesters take to the streets in Lahore on May 9, 2023. SCREENGRAB Listen to article An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday convicted and sentenced 11 accused to various jail terms and fines in cases related to the violence on May 9, 2023, over charges of attacking the Ramna police station, attacking policemen, setting properties on fire, and spreading terrorism. The convicted men include Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) member of the National Assembly Abdul Latif and former member of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (MPA) Wazirzada Kailashi. After the verdict, four convicts were arrested from the court premises, while warrants were issued against seven others. The four arrested convicts were Muhammad Akram, Mira Khan, Shahzeb, and Sohail Khan. Warrants were issued against Abdul Latif, Wazirzada Kailashi, Zaryab Khan, Samuel Robert, Abdul Basit, Shan Ali, and Muhammad Yousuf. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra delivered the verdict, stating that the accused attacked the Ramna police station and opened fire, pelted stones, and tried to kill the policemen. The accused also set fire to motorcycles. The court said that the accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs200,000 each for terrorism; five years in prison and a fine of Rs50,000 each for attempting to kill police officials; four years in prison and a fine of Rs40,000 each for burning motorcycles. Another four-year prison term and a fine of Rs40,000 each were awarded for burning the police station; three months in prison for interfering in police work; and one month in prison for violating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). May 9 cases refer to the violent attacks on state installations in 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan over corruption charges. Several people were arrested in these cases, which were tried and convicted by military courts as well as ATCs in different cities. Meanwhile, ATCs across the country have been hearing more cases. In April, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, ordered the ATCs to decide on the May 9 cases within four months. Of those, 14 cases of the Lahore district were pending in two ATCs in the Punjab capital, which are being heard in Kot Lakhpat Central Jail on a daily basis. However, an ATC judge said that the unavailability of case records was creating hurdles for the court in meeting the Supreme Court's deadline. ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill wrote to Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah, pointing out that police records were not available to the deputy prosecutor conducting the trial because of one reason or another. The judge said that he brought the matter to the notice of the prosecution office for taking necessary actions for recording as many witnesses as possible on each date of hearing. Otherwise, the court would proceed as per law. It has been noted that most of the May 9 cases were adjourned owing to the unavailability of the records of the cases. On each date, police officials informed the courts that the records of the cases were available with the Supreme Court. (WITH INPUT FROM OUR LAHORE CORRESPONDENT)
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business Recorder
May 9 cases: ATCs step up hearings
LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Lahore have stepped up the hearing of May 9 riot cases after directives from the Supreme Court to wind them up within four months. The hearing of May 9 riot cases will now be heard four days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Lahore High Court registrar issued the new amended schedule of May 9 riot cases being conducted at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
146 May 9 accused released by courts
Two years have passed since the protests on May 9 and 10, 2023 that had erupted in response to the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. However, 58 individuals accused in connection with the violent vandalism remain absconding and have yet to appear before the courts. According to official sources within the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, the Prosecution Department has released detailed records of the cases currently being heard in Peshawar's Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) related to the May 9 and 10 events. The prosecution's data reveals that 42 accused had been discharged by the courts while 146 individuals had been acquitted due to lack of evidence. Cases against 276 accused remain under trial in various ATCs. The accused are facing charges at multiple police stations including Landi Kotal, Jamrud, Ghalanai, East Peshawar, Faqirabad, Khan Raziq, Hayatabad, and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Peshawar. Some of these cases continue to be heard in ATCs. The ATCs have officially declared the 58 individuals evading arrest as absconders and issued non-bailable arrest warrants against them. It is worth noting that widespread protests had broken out across the province, particularly in Peshawar, Mohmand, and Khyber, following Imran Khan's arrest. Several incidents involved attacks on public and private properties. Consequently, hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers, including many current members of the provincial assembly, were named in these cases. According to sources, despite the passage of two years, authorities are yet to apprehend the 58 fugitives and their arrest warrants remain active. Last year in December, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had stated that attacks on military installations would be tried in military courts and urged the PTI to refrain from politicising or disputing the matter. During a press conference in Islamabad, he criticised the PTI for using military courts as a political tool, aiming to create a controversy around them. He clarified that military courts only handled cases involving attacks on the defence establishment, citing incidents such as the attacks on the Corps Commander's House, Mardan, and Bala Hisar. "When an attack is carried out on a defence institution or its property is set ablaze, it becomes the responsibility of the relevant authorities to apprehend the culprits. Just as railway police handle crimes on railway premises, military courts address offences targeting military assets. So when attacks on military assets occur, the Military Act is enforced", he explained. While highlighting the PTI's shifting stance, he recalled that during Imran Khan's tenure, military court trials were praised. "Statements praising military courts from the PTI's leadership are still available on social media. Yet now, the same individuals are lobbying internationally against these courts," Tarar remarked.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
May 9 trials deadline sparks concerns
The apex court has finally issued a written order, directing anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) to conclude the trial of accused persons involved in May 9 incidents within a period of four months. The court, however, ordered ATCs to ensure that the rights of the accused-respondents to a fair trial should not be hindered in any manner whatsoever. "We are mindful of subsection 7 of Section 19 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, where a trial is to be concluded within seven days by the Anti-Terrorism Courts, and the failure to do so entails duty on the Anti-Terrorism Court to inform the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned for appropriate directions," says a three-page written order issued in one of the case wherein state had approached the apex court seeking cancelation of trials. "However, in light of the peculiar circumstances, notably the large number of accused persons, the multiplicity of cases arising from the cases of similar nature reported separately and the considerable number of prosecution witnesses, we direct that the trial in the instant case be concluded within a period of four months from the date of receipt of this order," the order adds. "We further direct the Anti-Terrorism Court to ensure that the rights of the accused-respondents to a fair trial should not be hindered in any manner whatsoever." Instead of deciding dozens of bail matters on merit, the three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has opted different way by direction ATCs to conclude trials in May 9 cases within four months. PTI legal team is already expressing apprehension over the written order for its likely misuse against accused persons. Senior lawyers say that it seems SC did not learn lesson from Panama case wherein deadline was given to conclude the trials of Sharif family. Later SC was being blamed to provide facilitation to convict Sharif family members. Earlier, Punjab Prosecution Department submitted a report in the apex court wherein it was told that total 319 FIRs were registered in different provinces of Punjab. As many as 35,962 accused persons were nominated wherein 11,367 were arrested. 24,595 accused are at large. Final challans are submitted in 307 cases. The order notes that the court has been informed that, in some cases, the accused-respondents have been nominated in multiple FIRs, leading to trials, which are pending before various Anti-Terrorism Courts. "Consequently, it may not be possible for them to appear in person before all of the courts, and therefore, their applications for exemption, if any, should be considered in accordance with the law. "Similarly, we have also been informed that in some cases the accused-respondents have not been provided the copies of the charge and the testimony of prosecution witnesses, which require them to prepare effective defence as mandated under the enabling provisions of the law and Article 10-A of the Constitution" "This aspect of the matter also requires attention of the Anti-Terrorism Courts. In addition, the complaints regarding the venue of the Anti-Terrorism Courts, if any, should be considered by the respective Chief Justices of the High Courts and the Administrative Judges of the Anti-Terrorism Courts." For the compliance of the directions, the order said that the concerned provincial chief justices, if they deem appropriate, may call fortnightly report from the Anti-Terrorism Courts/Administrative Judges of the Anti-Terrorism Courts to ensure that not only the proceedings are carried out expeditiously and in accordance with law, but also the rights to fair trial of the accused-respondents are not hindered in any manner, whatsoever. However, this order shall not preclude the prosecution from renewing its plea if any of abuse of bail or non-cooperation by the accused is brought on record, in consequence thereof, the might of the law is to prevail, says the order. Commenting about the order, ex-federal minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain says that the Supreme Court has, in this case, functioned more as an administrative body rather than a judicial one. "In essence, the order issued is purely administrative and lacks any judicial direction. Each paragraph of the order contradicts the others. For instance, while one section mandates the completion of trials within four months, another requires ATC judges to adhere to all procedural requirements and ensure the protection of the accused's rights. This presents a clear dilemma: how few judges will handle cases involving 24,000 accused individuals within four months while simultaneously safeguarding their rights? The order is inconsequential and will not be implemented," he adds. Sameer Khosa, who was counsel of accused persons, said that the concern has always been that the accused before the Anti-Terrorism Courts should receive a fair trial. "The May 9 trials have clearly been used as a tool of political engineering with those deserting a political party completely absolved of all charges. In this situation it is clear that any independent and fair adjudication in these cases is sure to absolve the many of the accused." Khosa further states that a direction to conclude the trials from the Supreme Court can have the tendency to encourage the Anti-Terrorism Courts to trample over the rights of accused by not giving adequate time to cross examine and put up a defence. This was brought up before the Supreme Court and one can only hope that the trial courts as well as the High Courts will implement the portions of the judgement that categorically state that the rights of the accused are protected in every manner," says Sameer Khosa advocate.
