LAHORE: The Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore has issued a detailed written verdict in two cases related to the May 9 violence in Gulberg, involving arson and damage to vehicles.
The court acquitted 23 accused individuals due to lack of evidence, while seven others, including senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, were convicted.
Senior PTI leader Mian Mahmood Rashid received a total sentence of 33 years in prison and a fine of six lakh rupees. The court said Rashid was convicted under multiple sections of the law.
Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. According to the verdict, the three were present at a meeting planning the violent incidents, and along with other leaders, allegedly incited public unrest.
The prosecution presented WhatsApp messages, details from 70 social media accounts, and forensic reports as evidence in court. The investigation by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had declared the accused guilty, and none challenged the JIT report in any forum. Although the accused claimed innocence in their final statements, the court based its judgment on the evidence presented.
The verdict marks a significant legal development in the cases related to the May 9 incidents, which saw widespread unrest and attacks on property in Lahore.
