Islamabad, July 31 (NationPress) A Faisalabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) has sentenced National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zartaj Gul to 10 years in prison each, linked to the May 9 protests. This day saw the vandalism of military installations in Pakistan following the apprehension of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to the ruling, the special ATC imposed 10 years imprisonment on 108 out of 185 accused, including Sahibzada Hamid Raza, the chief of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). The court did acquit former PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro in this case, as reported by Pakistan's leading daily, 'The News International'.

In a separate case registered at the Civil Lines Police Station, the anti-terrorism court sentenced 28 out of 32 accused while acquitting four. Of the 107 individuals included in this case, 32 were tried. The acquitted individuals also included Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro.

Additionally, in another case related to the May 9 violence, registered at Ghulam Muhammadabad Police Station, the court sentenced 60 people and acquitted 7 out of 67 accused, with Junaid Afzal Sahi receiving a three-year jail term.

In response to the court's ruling, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that a cumulative 45-year sentence has been imposed on party leaders through consecutive judgements over three days. He expressed that, "These decisions will destroy democracy."

Khan added, "The judiciary is seen with hope, but the public has become disillusioned with it. There is still time to save this system." This ruling comes shortly after PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed received 10-year prison sentences in connection with the May 9 case. Sentences were also given to former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and PTI leaders Senator Ejaz Chaudhry and Afzal Azeem Pahat.

Prior to this, the Sargodha ATC had also delivered 10-year sentences to Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha, and several other PTI members for their involvement in the May 9 vandalism case. These series of court decisions have compounded the legal challenges facing PTI, which initiated its anti-government campaign last week following directives from PTI founder Imran Khan.

The May 9 events refer to the protests that erupted throughout Pakistan after the arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises related to a graft case. During these protests, public and military properties, including the Corps Commander House Lahore (also known as Jinnah House), were attacked.

While numerous PTI leaders and workers were released on bail after their arrests, many still remain incarcerated. Imran Khan, who lost power through a no-confidence motion in April 2022, has faced multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism since August 2023.