An anti-terrorism court in Lahore acquits PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi while sentencing several senior party leaders to long prison terms in May 9 cases, igniting political debate nationwide.
Lahore – 12 August 2025:
Once again a new and interesting news has come forward in Pakistani politics. Lahore’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) gave two verdicts in the protest case on May 9. As a result, PTI’s Senior Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted in both the cases.
But Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmood and Rasheed and along with them former Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema have been sentenced to 10 years each.
This verdict was given by Judge Manzar Ali Gill who was working from Kot Lakhpat Jail. He had reserved this verdict last week and pronounced it under high security on Monday.
Details of the Verdict
In the Jinnah House vehicle torching case, the court has sentenced many PTI leaders to 10 years of imprisonment. These include Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Muhammad Fahim, Ali Hassan, Ayesha Ali Bhutta, Zain Ali, Bilal Bashir, A sad Ali, Muhammad Qasim, Hafiz Muhammad Arshad, and Zain ul Hassan.
Apart from these, 2 female PTI leaders were given 5 years of imprisonment, which include Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed.
But some PTI leaders were let off as there was less evidence against them, which include Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Abrar, Amjad, Faisal, Jamil, Saadia, and Tasneem.
A similar case came up at Shadam Police Station. There, 25 accused were released due to lack of evidence, which included Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Out of these 25 accused, 1 died during the trial and some are absconding.
PTI’s Strong Reaction
The PTI leadership immediately take action after the verdict was announced and called it “politically motivated” and “mockery of justice.”
PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram called it “blatant travesty”. According to him the verdict was taken behind closed doors and its results were already decided and these results were manipulated.
Waqas Akram said that now the appeal in this case will be made in the higher courts. In this case the constitution of Pakistan has been made a mockery of justice and peaceful political leaders have been convicted on fabricated terrorism charges.
He accused the Government of Pakistan of trying to finish off PTI by using the judiciary. And all this is being done to silence the leadership of PTI.
Political and Public Implications
9 May was the most divisive incident in Pakistan’s political history which shows many arrests, property damages and a crackdown on PTI leadership. According to analysts, the decision announced on Monday will further polarize the politics.
After the results of this case, PTI supporters called it an attack on democracy. Its opposite critics are considering it as a step towards accountability for the violence.
Two factions are visible within PTI’s own party as well. One group is showing loyalty to Imran Khan and supporting its own party. But on the other hand, a group wants to make a new political strategy by staying away from the events of 9 May.
Looking Ahead
This battle is not going to end yet as the PTI is still appealing in the High Court against the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Court. This case has chances of remaining in the public spotlight for some time.
The outcome of this case will have a deep impact on the general elections as well. Time will tell whether these decisions will bring about political recalibration or further unrest.
One thing is for sure, the legacy of May 9 is still shaping the politics of the country.
Conclusion
While Shah Mahmood Qureshi walks free for now so the jailed leaders will likely exhaust all legal avenues and potentially drag the cases into new appeals. This turning point may reshape political narratives and power dynamics as Pakistan gears up for upcoming elections.
