‘Provocative’ speech: Former GB CM sentenced to 34 years

GILGIT: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gilgit on Tuesday sentenced former Chief Minister (CM) Khalid Khursheed to a total of 34 years in prison for delivering provocative speeches against state institutions and inciting public unrest.

The verdict, issued by ATC Judge Rehmat Shah, also includes a fine of Rs. 600,000. The ruling was delivered in absentia as Khursheed had been declared a proclaimed offender due to his continuous absence and failure to appear in court.

The case was registered on July 26, 2024, following a complaint lodged by Gilgit Magistrate Abdur Rauf. According to the complaint, Khursheed made inflammatory remarks during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf gathering at Ittehad Chowk, Gilgit. In his speech, the former Chief Minister criticized the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and the Election Commission, allegedly inciting violence and undermining the integrity of state institutions.

The court highlighted that Khursheed’s statements included direct threats against state institutions and officials. He was quoted as saying, “If I get the chance, I will not spare anyone, be it an intelligence institution, a police officer, or a chief secretary. We will rip off their hands.” He also targeted the Chief Election Commissioner, referring to him as a “namoona” (odd figure) and a “munshi” (clerk) while accusing the Election Commission of arbitrary decisions and undermining public will.

The court ruled that the prosecution had established its case beyond any shadow of a doubt. Witnesses provided clear and honest testimony without any personal malice against the accused, giving an objective account of the speech in the public and state interest.

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“There is no contradiction of deposition of witnesses, with the speech of accused in his voice in the video which was played in the open Court, and has been identified by the witness. The evidence of USB of the speech of accused, the truthfulness of ocular account is established beyond any doubt,” the court said.

The court opined that the prosecution had proven its case against the proclaimed offender and absconder, Khalid Khursheed, “beyond any shadow of doubt” by presenting sufficient evidence, including ocular testimony from two prime witnesses, video evidence stored on a USB, circumstantial evidence, and the accused’s absconding behaviour.

Khalid Khursheed was convicted under Section 153-A PPC and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 50,000; under Section 505 PPC, he received seven years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 50,000; under Section 506(II) PPC, he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 100,000. Under Section 7(h) ATA, he received five years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 100,000, and under Section 21-L ATA, he was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 300,000. The court clarified that the sentences would run concurrently, with the longest sentence being 10 years.

The court directed the Inspector General of Police, Gilgit-Baltistan, to execute the arrest warrant for Khalid Khursheed.

A perpetual warrant has also been issued, and a commitment order will be sent to the Superintendent of Central Jail Minawar for sentence execution upon his arrest.

 Additionally, the court instructed NADRA to block the CNIC of the convict.