Malik Ahmad Bachar sentenced in May 9 Mianwali attack case

SARGODHA: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday sentenced Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Bachar as well as two MNAs — Mohammed Ahmed Chattha and Bilal Ijaz — in a case related to May 9 violence.

On May 9, 2023, the PTI supporters had even attacked the air force base in Mianwali, as videos showed the mobsters tearing down the outer wall around the military installation besides damaging other constructions.

The two PTI leaders are not alone in being convicted as the court awarded sentences to a total of 36 PTI leaders and workers, who attacked the government and military installations after the arrest of their party founder, Imran Khan.

In this connection, Imran is accused of masterminding the violence, which continued for two days.

One of the main accused Murad Saeed was elected as a senator from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite being an absconder for over two years.

Read more: Don’t think Murad Saeed will take oath: Aqeel Malik

Announcing his reserved judgment, ATC Muhammad Naeem Sheikh awarded 10 years imprisonment to Bachar who became an MPA from PP-87 Mianwali-III.

Ijaz was elected from NA-81 Gujranwala-V as an independent like other PTI lawmakers who later assembled under the banner of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).

On the other hand, Chattha was the winning candidate from NA-66 Wazirabad.

CHINESE PUZZLE FOR IMRAN

The latest development has killed the very little hopes, if any, of getting Imran released from prison, who himself nominated in several cases concerning the May 9 violence, including the GHQ attack case.

It is despite the fact that the military has repeatedly made it clear that they has nothing to do with politics and any dialogue should only involve the political parties.

Read more: DG ISPR refutes reports of backchannel contacts with Imran Khan

Previously, military courts have sentenced PTI supporters for their violent acts and organised attacks on sensitive installations and government properties.

The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench has already through a judgment said that the military courts can hold the trial of civilians.

Hence, experts feel that Imran is trying his best to avoid any military trial, given the ongoing proceedings against former spymaster Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed.