Faisalabad ATC Sentences 75 People, Including PTI Leaders, in May 9 Riots Case
Faisalabad, 25 August 2025: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad on Monday sentenced 75 individuals out of 109 accused in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots, which targeted the residence of PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah.
Among those sentenced were PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, who received 10-year prison terms. In total, 59 individuals were handed 10-year sentences, including prominent figures such as Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Rai Murtaza Iqbal, Farah Afgha, Kanwal Shauzab, Rai Hassan Nawaz, Ahmad Chattha, and Ansar Iqbal. Meanwhile, others, including Sheikh Rashid Javed, received three-year prison sentences.
The court acquitted 34 accused, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Sohail Khan, Muhammad Owais, and several others.
The verdict adds to the ongoing legal challenges for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), whose leaders and workers have faced multiple prosecutions following the May 9 unrest. Earlier this month, PTI members including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, and former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema were also sentenced to 10 years in another related case.
The May 9 riots erupted after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and involved widespread attacks on public and military property, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore and GHQ in Rawalpindi. Many PTI supporters have since been released on bail, while others remain in custody.
