Pakistan Court Sentences 47 PTI Leaders and Supporters to 10 Years in Prison

A court in Pakistan has sentenced 47 leaders and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to 10 years in prison each in connection with violence and vandalism that occurred during protests on May 9, 2023. The court also imposed a fine of 500,000 Pakistani rupees on each of the convicted individuals. The nationwide protests erupted after the arrest of PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Demonstrations were reported across the country, during which several incidents of violence and damage to government property took place. According to reports, a group of protesters attempted to enter the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi, during which government property was vandalised. The verdict was delivered by Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court against the 47 individuals who had already been declared absconders. The court found them guilty and ordered that, in addition to the prison sentences and fines, their movable and immovable assets be confiscated. The court further stated that if the convicted individuals fail to pay the imposed fines, they will have to serve additional imprisonment.