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ATC Hands 10-Year Jail Terms to Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul in May 9 Case
A Faisalabad ATC sentenced PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz & Zartaj Gul to 10 years in jail over May 9 riots, while acquitting 34 others.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-25
ATC Hands 10-Year Jail Terms to Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul in May 9 Case

A Faisalabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday sentenced senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, along with 56 others, to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment in a case related to the attack on former interior minister Rana Sanaullah’s residence during the May 9, 2023 riots.

The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh in the case registered at the Samanabad police station. Out of 109 accused, 59 were given 10-year terms, while 16 others received three years in jail. A total of 34 individuals were acquitted.

PTI’s legal team head Malik Khalid Shafiq confirmed the convictions, noting that day-to-day hearings were being held after the deadline for deciding May 9 cases had already passed.

The convicted leaders include several senior PTI figures already disqualified in related cases, such as Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and Muhammad Ahmad Chattha. Others convicted on July 31 in separate May 9 cases include Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Ashraf Khan Sohna, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Kanwal Shauzab, and Farah Agha.

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who distanced himself from PTI after the riots, and MNA Zain Qureshi, son of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were among those acquitted. Both had previously been cleared in three other Faisalabad cases related to the May 9 violence.

The sentences mean automatic disqualification from parliament under Article 63(1)(g) of the Constitution, which disbars members convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude or corruption.

Reaction from PTI Leaders

Reacting to the verdict, Zartaj Gul maintained her innocence, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that the case against her was based on allegations of attending a meeting at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence on May 7, 2023. She claimed she was in her Dera Ghazi Khan constituency that day, attending local events, and even shared social media posts as evidence.

Pattern of Convictions

The ruling comes amid a wave of convictions against PTI leaders in connection with the May 9 unrest, when violent protests erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Military installations and state buildings were attacked across the country, leading to widespread arrests.

·       On July 22, a Lahore ATC sentenced Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed to 10 years over vandalism at Sherpao Bridge.

·       On the same day, a Sargodha ATC sentenced 32 accused, including Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar.

·       On July 31, a Faisalabad ATC sentenced over 100 PTI leaders and workers to jail in three separate May 9 cases.

·       On August 1, a Sargodha ATC handed life imprisonment to PTI worker Muhammad Ismail in a Mianwali judicial complex attack case, while declaring 50 others proclaimed offenders.

The May 9 riots remain a defining episode in Pakistan’s recent political crisis, with the state intensifying its crackdown on PTI leaders and workers, resulting in hundreds of convictions across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

 
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