An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has cleared PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi in two additional May 9 cases, while handing down ten-year prison terms to Dr Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid for their involvement in violent incidents following Imran Khan’s arrest.
The court had reserved its decision on cases linked to the attack on Shadman police station and arson of police vehicles near Jinnah House, delivering verdicts this Monday inside Kot Lakhpat jail. ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill confirmed the sentences and acquittals following detailed hearings in two sessions.
May 9 Cases on PTI Leaders
PTI leaders Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed also received five-year prison terms in the Shadman case, a lawyer confirmed.
The court recorded statements from dozens of prosecution witnesses in both cases—45 for the Shadman attack and 65 for the vehicle torching incident—with multiple accused marked as absconders. This ruling follows an earlier conviction in a Sherpao Bridge case where Qureshi was cleared while other leaders were also sentenced similarly.
Legal experts believe this verdict may have lasting consequences for PTI’s leadership, especially as many supporters have described the trial as unfair and politically motivated. At the same time, government officials have argued that due process was observed and the judgments align with legal norms.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 10th, 2025
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