An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday sentenced four senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed, and Ejaz Chaudhry to 10 years imprisonment in a May 9 case.
ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul announced the reserved verdict inside Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore, where the accused were already in custody.
On the other hand, the court acquitted senior PTI leader and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of the May 9 case.
The case pertains to the May 9, 2023 unrest and the torching of police vehicles, and was registered against 22 accused persons, including senior PTI leaders.
The court had reserved its decision after completion of final arguments by defence counsel. During the trial, the prosecution recorded statements of 37 witnesses before the case reached the final arguments stage.
In December 2025, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Omer Sarfraz Cheema were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
No charges have yet been filed against PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in connection with these cases.
The majority of those convicted were charged with participating in the attack. Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Arshad Javed announced the verdict inside Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Dr Yasmin Rashid’s lawyer, Rana Mudasir Umar, said that although the cases were scheduled for routine proceedings, the defence was not given a full opportunity to present their case, adding that the verdicts were announced late at night. He confirmed that the imprisoned leaders remain resolute and that the sentences will be challenged in higher courts.
12 accused, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, declared absconders in two more May 9 cases
In the case, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Shabnam Jahangir, Ali Malik, and Shehzad Khurram have been declared absconders.
All 41 prosecution witnesses have been cross-examined, and the trial was concluded by Judge Arshad Javed at Kot Lakhpat Jail.
In Lahore, verdicts in seven cases related to May 9 have already been announced. Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been acquitted in five cases, while his trial could not take place due to him being on interim bail.
Back in August, the same judge awarded 10-year prison terms each to Dr Yasmin, Ejaz Chaudhary, and Rasheed and Cheema in another May 9 case.
Also read: NADRA confirms Sohail Afridi’s involvement in May 9 attack
