Punjab Assembly opposition leader, PTI MNA sentenced to 10-year jail

May 9 riots case

Sentence according to law, says govt

Monitoring Desk

SARGODHA: An anti-terrorism court in Sargodha on Tuesday sentenced Punjab Assembly opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers to 10 years each in prison in vandalism case related to May 9 riots.

Bachar was not present in the court at the time of pronouncement of the verdict.

The case was registered in Mianwali over vandalism and riots related to the protests triggered by the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in a corruption case on May 9, 2023.

All 32 accused including Bachar were granted exemption from personal appearance by the court.

Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar said in a post on X that he would not abandon his support of Imran.

PTI MNA Asad Qaiser condemned the sentences, alleging that “neither was any transparent or legal procedure followed in the case, nor was any credible witness presented. The demands of justice were grossly violated.”

He said in a post on X that the party would challenge the “biased decision” in the high court.

Terming the decision “outright injustice”, the party’s South Punjab wing said, “The truth is that the establishment’s role in this entire process is evident to all, and nothing called justice remains.

“These punishments are not only vengeful actions but also an insult to the country’s democracy, judiciary, and people, and now the people will no longer stay silent!” the statement read.

PTI MNA and lawyer Shafqat Awan also condemned the decision. “I have never seen a more horrific and brutal decision than the one given by the Sargodha ATC judge,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile, the federal government on Tuesday welcomed a Sargodha Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) sentencing of Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly (PA) Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar to 10 years in prison, hailing it as a positive step.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Islamabad, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said: “Today, the Sargodha ATC issued an order and we welcome it … I think it is a very positive step as justice has been upheld.”

He said the verdict “fulfils all requirements of justice” and followed due process since the entire trial proceedings were carried out legally. “The decision announced is in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” Malik said.

The state minister said Bhachar, PTI MNA Ahmed Chattha and former MNA Bilal Ejaz were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment each in a case related to the riots.

“When you take the law into your own hand, whether you’re an MNA or MPA or opposition leader … the [status] doesn’t matter, as the law is equal for everyone and will come into force.”

Malik hoped that other May 9-related cases would be decided soon as well.

Assailing the PTI, he alleged that the riots were “carefully curated” via “planning” to precisely attack over 200 locations.