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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- 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
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
ATC issues arrest warrants of PTI workers
ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday issued arrest warrants for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who did not appear before it in cases registered against them in connection with the November 26 cases. ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, while hearing the cases, marked the attendance of workers who attended the hearing and adjourned the case registered at Aabpara police station until July 15 and Sangjani till July 14. The court expressed annoyance over the accused that failed to appear before the court and issued their arrest warrant. The court directed the police to arrest the accused and produce them before the court. PTI lawyer Sardar Masroof and Ayesha Khalid appeared before the court. Meanwhile, another court sent Chinese nationals allegedly involved to jail in a case registered against them in connection with online fraud. Police have produced eight nationals before judicial magistrate Abbas Shah, after completion of their physical remand. During the court proceedings, the prosecutor told the court that the accused had defrauded hundreds of citizens through online scams. The suspects had established offices in Pakistan to carry out their activities, yet nothing was registered in their own names—indicating an attempt to avoid legal accountability, he further said. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered a case against the Chinese nationals. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- 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
30-05-2025
- 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
