An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has sentenced senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 riots. The case pertained to the burning of a Supreme Court judge’s vehicle at Rahat Bakery Chowk during violent protests in 2023.
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ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the verdict during a hearing held inside Kot Lakhpat Jail. Alongside Rashid and Chaudhry, PTI leaders Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed and Umar Sarfraz Cheema also received 10-year prison terms.
The court awarded a five-year sentence to PTI leader Khadija Shah, while Rubina Jameel and Afshan Tariq were acquitted of all charges. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, another senior PTI figure, was also acquitted in the case.
The ruling adds to the growing legal troubles for PTI, which has seen multiple leaders jailed following the May 9 unrest. Last month, the Election Commission of Pakistan de-notified several PTI lawmakers, including opposition leaders in the Senate and National Assembly, after their convictions in similar cases.
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The May 9 riots broke out after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested outside the Islamabad High Court. Thousands of PTI supporters stormed public property and military installations, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore and the GHQ in Rawalpindi. The violent protests led to widespread arrests, with many party leaders still facing trials or serving sentences.
