The initial judgment on the May 9 incidents nationwide was delivered in Gujranwala, where the female judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced 51 suspects involved in the case to five years in prison under three terrorism-related sections.
The verdict was announced within the Central Jail premises amidst tight security and a significant police presence, as the trial concerning attacks on vital installations, arson, and siege had been ongoing for three months.
The May 9 unrest witnessed PTI demonstrators attacking sensitive installations, resulting in the injury of ten police personnel, including an SP, and the death of a civilian. Additionally, four vehicles were vandalized during the protest. The Cantt police station filed a case against 23 identified and 300-400 unidentified individuals, including PTI ticket holders, based on a complaint lodged by SHO Mudassar Butt. Subsequently, 51 accused were apprehended by the police.
The court’s ruling also included the seizure of properties belonging to PTI leaders such as Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Murad Saeed, and Ali Amin Gandapur. Several named leaders are currently on interim bail as per court orders.