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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)
