May 9 cases verdict: Mahmood-ur-Rashid gets 33-year jail term

LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has issued the detailed written verdict in two cases related to arson and vandalism in the Gulberg area on May 9.

The court also ordered the acquittal of 23 accused in the two cases due to lack of evidence.

Senior PTI leader Mian Mahmood-ur-Rashid was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison and fined Rs600,000, with separate sentences imposed under different sections of the law.

According to the verdict, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry were sentenced to 10 years each.

The verdict noted that Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry and Umar Sarfraz Cheema were present at a conspiracy meeting.

The prosecution said that four leaders, including Dr Yasmin Rashid, incited the public to commit arson and spread unrest.

The written verdict stated that the prosecution presented various WhatsApp messages and details of 70 social media accounts as evidence, along with forensic reports against the accused in court.

The court observed that the JIT investigation team had declared the accused guilty, and the accused had not challenged the JIT report in any forum.

While the accused claimed innocence in their final statements, the court handed down sentences based on the evidence presented.

Background

On May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case on the Islamabad High Court premises, PTI organised nationwide protests.

During the protests in Lahore’s Model Town area, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz office was set on fire, and several military, civil, and private installations were vandalised.

Significant damage was caused to both public and private property. At least eight people were killed and 290 injured during the unrest.

Protesters also attacked the residence of the Corps Commander, known as Jinnah House, in Lahore and damaged a gate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

In total, 1,900 people were arrested nationwide for clashes, vandalism, and arson, and cases were filed against Imran Khan, PTI leaders, and party workers.