In a significant relief for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted four party workers convicted in a May 9 violence case, overturning their 10-year prison sentences.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadam Hussain Soomro announced the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.

The court declared the earlier convictions null and void due to insufficient evidence.

The four acquitted individuals — Sohail, Shahzaib, Mera Khan, and Ikram Khan — were among 11 convicted by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on May 30 in a case related to violent protests following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. PTI MNA Abdul Latif was also among those sentenced.

Senior lawyer Babar Awan, representing the defence, told the court that of the nine prosecution witnesses, only one — Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Sharif — had identified the accused.

He argued that while the accused were charged with opening fire, no injuries were reported. “If there’s a crime, punishment is necessary — but the legal system shouldn’t be turned into a joke,” Awan said.

Justice Soomro asked the prosecution whether any concrete proof against the accused existed.

The prosecutor requested more time to present evidence, but the bench noted that all arguments had already been heard.

“There’s no medico-legal certificate, no injured person, and witnesses did not confirm the accused were present at the scene,” the court observed.

“Should the court award punishment solely based on an identification parade?” Justice Soomro questioned.

The prosecutor insisted that attacking a police station was an act of terrorism, but the court remained unconvinced and delivered the verdict in favour of the appellants, acquitting them of all charges.