Pakistan Sentences 100 Members Of Imran Khan’s Party

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Thursday sentenced more than 100 members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party to prison over their involvement in the 2023 riots targeting military installations, according to a court order.

Of those convicted, 58 individuals including senior officials and sitting parliamentarians were handed 10-year prison terms. The remaining defendants received sentences ranging from one to three years, the court stated.

Among those sentenced are Omar Ayub Khan and Shibli Faraz, the leaders of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in the National Assembly and Senate, respectively, according to the court order.

“The prosecution has proven its case against the accused beyond a shadow of doubt,” the order read.

Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023 and is facing a slew of charges including corruption, land fraud, and violation of official secrets laws, is being tried separately in connection with the riots. The government accuses him and other PTI leaders of orchestrating the May 9, 2023, protests, during which demonstrators stormed military and government buildings including the army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Khan denies all allegations and maintains that the charges are part of a politically driven, military backed campaign to crush his party. The military has rejected these claims.

His arrest last year sparked violent protests across the country.

Thursday’s verdict does not impact Khan’s own incitement trial, which is ongoing, with the prosecution still presenting witnesses.

This marks the third mass conviction of PTI members this month. According to the party, at least 14 of those convicted are parliamentarians who will now lose their seats under Pakistani law, further eroding the party’s influence in the legislature.

In the same ruling, another 77 individuals were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The case pertained to an attack on an intelligence agency office in Faisalabad, a city in eastern Pakistan.

In response, PTI has announced plans to launch new protests starting August 5, marking the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment, to demand his release.