An anti-terrorism court in Sargodha on Tuesday sentenced 32 accused, including Opposition Leader of the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, to 10 years in prison each in the May 9 riot case.

Those convicted included PTI’s MNA Ahemd Chatha and former MNA Bilal Ijaz. The accused were charged with violent protests, arson and other serious crimes.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Malik Ahmed Bhachar announced that he would challenge the ATC verdict in the Lahore High Court.

The opposition leader said that the court gave a verdict in a politically motivated case in violation of the constitution.

Politically motivated case

“A sentence was announced against me without completing the legal procedures,” he added.

Bhachar stated that after the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the government has brought the judiciary under its control.

“We expect similar kinds of verdicts in the cases related to the May 9 incident,” he added.

Bhachar said he would approach the high court after receiving written orders from the ATC, adding that it would be too early to comment on his disqualification at this stage.

Minister welcomes order

On the other hand, Minister of State Barrister Aqeel Malik welcomed the decision of the Sargodha anti-terrorism court, saying the verdict is in accordance with the constitution and law.

All 32 people, including Malik Ahmed Bhachar, were sentenced after due process, he maintained.

Barrister Aqeel further said that the law is equal for everyone, and those who take the law into their own hands should also be ready to face the consequences.

The minister added that the world has witnessed justice being served today, and the arson and vandalism cases related to May 9 are crystal clear.

‘Murder of democracy’

Reacting to the development, PTI’s chief whip Rana Shahbaz sharply criticised the judgment and said that the 10-year sentence given to opposition leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar is a murder of democracy.

He called the sentences given to Ahmed Chatha and Rana Bilal Ijaz regrettable and described them as unjustified. Today is a black day for democracy, he added.

The PTI chief whip said similar decisions will come after the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The entire nation knows the truth behind these decisions, he said, adding that the PTI will stage countrywide protests against these decisions, including in Lahore.

It is worth remembering that on May 9, 2023, following PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in the Al Qadir Trust case, PTI organised nationwide protests.

During protests, the Pakistan Muslim League-N office was set on fire in Lahore’s Model Town. Similarly, military, civil, and private installations were set on fire or vandalised. At least eight people were killed and 290 were injured during the unrest.

The protesters also stormed the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House, and broke a gate of General Headquarters (GHQ) located in Rawalpindi.

Afterwards, 1,900 individuals involved in clashes, vandalism, and arson across the country were arrested.

Additionally, cases were registered against Imran Khan, his party leaders, and workers.