A Faisalabad court sentenced 59 PTI leaders and supporters to 10 years in prison for their role in the May 9, 2023, riots targeting Rana Sanaullah’s house. On Monday, August 25, 2025, a Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) sentenced 59 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attacking former interior minister Rana Sanaullah’s residence during the May 9, 2023, riots, prompted by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The court acquitted 34 others.
Why This Matters in South Asia
The sentencing of PTI leaders in Pakistan’s ongoing May 9 riot cases underscores the region’s fragile balance between political dissent and state authority. As South Asia grapples with democratic challenges, such convictions raise concerns about the use of anti-terrorism laws to curb opposition, potentially impacting political stability and civil liberties across the region, where similar tensions exist.
Faisalabad ATC Delivers Verdict in May 9 Case
The Faisalabad ATC, presided over by Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh, delivered its verdict in a case registered at Samanabad police station on May 9, 2023. The court convicted 59 of the 109 accused, including prominent PTI figures such as Omar Ayub (National Assembly Opposition Leader), Shibli Faraz (Senate Opposition Leader), Zartaj Gul, and Sheikh Rashid Shafique, nephew of former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed. Sixteen others received three-year sentences, while 34, including former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry and MNA Zain Qureshi, were acquitted.
The convictions carry automatic disqualification for PTI parliamentarians under Article 63(1)(g) of Pakistan’s Constitution, which bars individuals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude from holding office. Malik Khalid Shafiq, head of PTI’s legal team, confirmed the sentences to Dawn.com, noting that day-to-day hearings were held due to a missed deadline for concluding May 9 cases.
Context of the May 9 Riots
The May 9, 2023, riots erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of Imran Khan on corruption charges. PTI supporters protested by vandalising military installations, state buildings, and Rana Sanaullah’s residence in Faisalabad. Thousands were arrested, with many facing trials in civilian and military courts. The Faisalabad ATC’s latest ruling is part of a broader crackdown, with over 100 PTI members convicted in recent months.
Previous Convictions and Political Fallout
This verdict follows a series of sentences in May 9-related cases. On July 31, 2025, a Faisalabad ATC convicted 108 PTI members, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, in three separate cases, with 77 acquitted. On July 22, a Lahore ATC sentenced PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid and Omar Sarfraz Cheema to 10 years for vandalism at Sherpao Bridge, while a Sargodha ATC convicted 32 others, including Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking in Islamabad on July 31, 2025, called the cases “baseless” and vowed to challenge the verdicts in higher courts, according to Geo.tv. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified nine PTI lawmakers, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, on August 5, 2025, following earlier convictions, leaving several parliamentary seats vacant.
Background
The May 9, 2023, riots marked a turning point in Pakistan’s political landscape, intensifying tensions between PTI and state institutions. Imran Khan, ousted as prime minister in April 2022 via a no-confidence vote, was arrested on May 9, 2023, sparking nationwide protests. The violence targeted key sites, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Since then, Khan has remained in Adiala Jail, facing multiple charges. The PTI alleges a military-backed crackdown, a claim denied by the government and armed forces.
The Faisalabad ATC’s rulings are part of a broader judicial effort to address the riots, with the Supreme Court directing ATCs to conclude cases by September 2025. Military courts have also sentenced dozens, including Khan’s nephew Hassan Khan Niazi, to 2–10 years.
What’s Next
PTI plans to appeal the Faisalabad ATC’s verdicts in the Lahore High Court, with Gohar Ali Khan indicating consultations with Imran Khan on whether to launch a movement or return to parliament. As the PTI faces mounting legal challenges, the outcomes of these appeals could shape Pakistan’s political landscape and the role of anti-terrorism courts in addressing political dissent.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 25th, 2025
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