First court verdict in May 9 case, 10 get prison term

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has sentenced 10 individuals to prison terms of up to six years and fines for their involvement in the May 9 events, marking the first court verdict in relation to the case.

According to the detailed court order issued by ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, four Afghan nationals were also among those convicted.

The individuals sentenced include Abid Mahmood, son of Muhammad Saqib, and Ahsan Ayaz, son of Muhammad Ayaz, both from Islamabad. Also convicted were Naeemullah, son of Abdul Qadir, from Bajaur, and Matiullah, son of Amin Khan, from Rawalpindi. Shaukat, son of Fazal Dad, and Zakirullah, son of Bismillah Khan, both from Bajaur, were also handed down sentences.

The court also convicted four Afghan nationals: Dawood Khan, son of Haju Khan; Younis Khan, son of Khan Mohammad; Ehsanullah, son of Ziaul Haq; and Lal Agha, son of Khan Agha, all of whom had been living in various parts of Pakistan.

Also Read: Khadija Shah gets bail in May 9 cases

The May 9 events began when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on corruption charges while attending a court hearing in Islamabad. This led to nationwide protests by his supporters, with reports of public property being damaged and attacks on military establishments.

In response, over 4,000 of Imran Khan’s supporters were arrested for their involvement in the unrest, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Numerous cases were filed against those involved in the riots, with Imran Khan named as the prime accused in nine of them.