Pakistan court sentences 47 leaders, supporters of Imran Khan's party to 10 years imprisonment An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad sentenced 47 leaders and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of PKR 5,00,000 each in absentia for their involvement in vandalism and violence during the May 9, 2023, protest. The verdict was issued by Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court, which declared the accused as proclaimed offenders due to their absence from court proceedings. The protest, which turned violent, was triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan in Islamabad. During the demonstrations, a group of protesters attempted to storm the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the military’s administrative center, leading to damage to government property. The case was registered at the RA Bazar Police Station in Rawalpindi following the incident. The court found the accused guilty of charges including arson, siege, vandalism, attacks on police, and destruction of government assets. Specific incidents cited included attacks on the GHQ gate, Hamza Camp, the Army Museum, and the Sixth Road Metro Station. The convicted individuals were also ordered to surrender their movable and immovable properties, with additional imprisonment imposed if fines were unpaid. Among those sentenced were prominent PTI figures such as Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, Shahbaz Gill, Zulfi Bukhari, Murad Saeed, Zartaj Gul, Hammad Azhar, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Ejaz Khan Jazi, Shaukat Ali Bhatti, Usman Saeed Basra, Muhammad Ahmad Chattha, Rai Hassan Nawaz, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza.#imran_khan #pakistan_tehreek_e_insaf #judge_amjad_ali_shah #rawalpindi #general_headquarters
