ATC convicts 10 accused in May 9 riots case

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the federal capital sentenced 10 accused of the May 9 riots case. Among them are four Afghan nationals who were residing in various parts of Pakistan. The court handed down sentences of up to six years in prison and imposed fines on the convicts.

The accused were booked under FIR No 626/24 registered on May 10, 2023 at the Industrial Area police station.

Judge Tahir Abbas Supra of Special Court No 2 announced the verdict against the PTI activists. Six accused are still absconders in the same case.

The convicted individuals include Abid Mahmood, Ahsan, Naeemullah, Matiullah, Shaukat, and Zakirullah. The Afghan nationals named in the verdict are Daud Khan, Younis Khan, Ihsanullah, and Lal Agha.

The court also issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the absconders, ordering their immediate arrest and production before the court.

According to the judgment, the sentence could be extended to six years in addition to the fines imposed.

According to the order, 17 individuals were booked under Sections 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing a public servant), 188 (disobeying order promulgated by a public servant), 341 (wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to the committing of the theft) and 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), read with Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997, as per a police report.