Latest news with #Anti-TerrorismCourt
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Quit PTI, if you can't withstand pressure, Imran tells party leaders
Listen to article PTI's incarcerated founder Imran Khan has delivered a clear message to his party's leadership: Either withstand mounting pressure or part ways with the party, according to PTI's legal spokesperson Naeem Haider Panjutha. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Saturday, Panjutha alleged that the judiciary has become totally subservient to the government, and that the objectives behind the 26th Constitutional Amendment have become abundantly clear as PTI leaders and supporters are being convicted and disqualified. About Saturday's proceedings of the Toshakhana 2 case, Panjutha said that the hearing was scheduled to take place inside Adiala Jail but could not proceed as planned. "Only some of the legal representatives were granted access, while others were barred from attending. As a result, no substantive proceedings occurred," he said. He added that former first lady Bushra Bibi boycotted the hearing in protest. Panjutha recalled Imran as saying during the meeting: 'Truth ultimately prevails, while falsehood is destined to fail.' The jailed PTI founder further claimed that Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judges and others are acting in concert with the government, withholding CCTV footage related to the events of May 9. Panjutha pointed to the sentencing of MNA Latif Chitrali as evidence of what he described as a broader campaign to disqualify elected PTI lawmakers. 'If senior leaders like Yasmin Rashid and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were to leave the party today, they would likely be released,' he claimed. Drawing parallels with past judicial controversies, Panjutha alleged that former chief justice Saqib Nisar had played a role similar to that of Justice Munir in undermining judicial independence. He further criticised the electoral appeals process, claiming it is being overseen by the same Election Commission of Pakistan officials allegedly involved in electoral malpractice. According to Panjutha, Imran has directed the party to adopt a strategy of peaceful resistance, rejecting any further confrontation or violence. 'The chairman has made it clear: no more bullets. Our protests will now be peaceful,' he said. 'He will personally lead the movement from behind bars, as all other democratic avenues have been closed.' Imran, Panjutha added, considers himself a prisoner for the cause of 'Haqiqi Azadi' (real freedom). He added that all political forces believing in human rights will be invited to join PTI's protest movement. 'Participation is voluntary,' he said, 'but the movement will proceed with or without them.'
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Thousands of ID cards, passports blocked over involvement in May 9 riots
Listen to article Passports and national identity cards of thousands of individuals linked to the May 9, 2023, riots have been blocked. More than 5,500 citizens from Lahore and other cities and towns across Punjab have had their passports blacklisted, officials from the Department of Passport and Immigration told local media. The revelation came a day after Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad 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. 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. Read More: 19 convicted in May 9 riots granted pardon Regarding the blocking of passports and national identity cards, sources said names were flagged based on geo-fencing data, which captured mobile or landline numbers detected near protest sites. In many cases, this data alone led to individuals being added to the blacklist, even without direct evidence of involvement. Some of those affected have submitted proof of innocence to police and law enforcement agencies. However, their names remain on the blacklist, prompting hundreds to file legal challenges in court. The Lahore High Court has taken up dozens of such cases and summoned passport officials along with relevant records. In several hearings, officials have submitted documents confirming the blacklisting of passports. Read More: Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid indicted in May 9 riots case During proceedings, it emerged that many individuals worked in nearby government or private offices and had only made calls to family members during the unrest, but were still flagged due to their mobile phone location data. In court filings, the Passport and Immigration Department stated that it does not hold the authority to add or remove names from the blacklist. That power, it said, rests with the Ministry of Interior, which manages both the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL). The ministry has reportedly placed names on the blacklist for any degree of involvement in the May 9 events. Those whose passports have expired cannot renew them until their names are cleared. May 9 Riots The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan's nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more. Also Read: Won't allow May 9 mayhem happen again In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons. The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalize pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has strongly opposed the trial of civilians in military courts, citing constitutional concerns.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
May 9 riots case: 11 PTI workers including MNA convicted by ATC
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday sentenced 11 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, including a sitting Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and a former Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), to a combined 27 years and four months in prison in a May 9 riots case. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the reserved verdict in a case registered at Ramna police station, handing down a 27-year and 4-month sentence along with fines to MNA Abdul Latif, former MPA Wazir Zada Kalashi, and nine other PTI activists. Following the announcement of the verdict, police took four of the accused — Mohammad Akram, Meera Khan, Shahzaib, and Sohail Khan — into custody from the courtroom, while the court issued arrest warrants for the absconding co-accused. The court found the convicts guilty of attacking the police station, firing at police officers, throwing stones, attempting to kill law enforcement personnel, and setting motorcycles on fire to gain their objectives. The court also noted that 24 witnesses testified against the accused, and proper identification parades were conducted before magistrates. The order says that if police stations in the capital are attacked, there will be no place left in the country that is safe to live in. According to the judgment, five years in prison and a Rs50,000 fine for attempted murder of police personnel, four years and Rs40,000 fine for setting motorcycles on fire, another four years and Rs40,000 fine for setting the police station ablaze, three months for obstructing police duties, one month for violating Section 144, two years for committing crimes in a mob, and 10 years with a Rs200,000 fine under terrorism charges. The FIR was registered under sections148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (mischief causing damage amounting to Rs50), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy property), 440 (Mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt)of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act registered at Ramna police station. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Violation of Section 144 case against IK: ATC records statements of two prosecution witnesses
ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses in a case registered against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and other leaders in connection with the violation of Section 144. ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while hearing the case, recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses. PTI leaders, Faisal Javed, Wasiq Qayyum, former PTI leader Aamir Kiyani and others had been nominated in the case registered at the Industrial Area police station related to the PTI protest at Faizabad, following the PTI founding chairman Imran Khan's disqualification. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Case against PTI workers: hearing adjourned till 29th
ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday did not announce its verdict in the May 9 case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers due to the absence of one accused. The ATC judge, Tahir Abbas Sipra, while hearing the case, deferred the announcement of its judgment in a May 9 case registered at Ramna police station due to the absence of one of the accused, Zaryab, who did not appear in court. During the previous hearing the accused presented their statements under section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before the court. The accused include PTI workers, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif, and former provincial minister Wazir Zadain the case registered under terrorism charges. Zaryab's counsel submitted an application seeking an exemption from personal appearance, which led the court to defer the decision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
