May 9 Cases: ATC Acquits Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Sentences Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry

Lahore ATC acquits PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in May 9 violence cases, while Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and other party leaders receive prison sentences.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday delivered verdicts in two high-profile May 9 cases, acquitting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while handing down heavy prison sentences to several other party figures.

Verdicts in Shadman Arson and Rahat Bakery Vandalism Cases

The proceedings were held at Kot Lakhpat Jail, where ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill announced decisions in the Shadman Town police station arson case and the vandalism case outside Rahat Bakery. According to the court’s judgment, Qureshi was cleared of all charges in both cases.

Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. Mian Mahmoodur Rashid and Umar Sarfraz Cheema also received 10-year terms, while Alia Hamza and Sanam Javed were awarded five years each.

In the Shadman arson case, 13 individuals were convicted and 12 acquitted. In the Rahat Bakery vandalism case, 7 were convicted and 10 were acquitted.

Wider Crackdown on PTI Leaders Over May 9 Violence

Earlier, an ATC in Faisalabad had issued prison sentences to PTI leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz in separate cases stemming from the same day’s unrest. The May 9 cases relate to nationwide protests and violence that erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, leading to multiple incidents of arson and vandalism across Pakistan.