Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court rules that proclaimed suspects planned violent protests and attacks on key military and public sites during the May 9 unrest
RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has sentenced 47 proclaimed offenders to 10 years in prison each in connection with the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) and related violent incidents.
The verdict was announced by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who also imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on each convict and ordered the confiscation of their properties.
According to the ruling, the convicted individuals were found involved in planning and instigating violent protests during the May 9 unrest. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report concluded that the accused played a central role in organizing attacks on key locations including the GHQ gate, Hamza Camp, the Army Museum, and the Sixth Road Metro Station.
Among those declared proclaimed offenders are political figures including Umar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz, Hammad Azhar, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Shahbaz Gill, Zulfi Bukhari and Muhammad Ahmad Chattha.
The case also includes allegations of arson, vandalism, attacks on police personnel, and damage to public property during the May 9 protests.
Court documents show that charges were framed against 118 accused in December 2024, including PTI founder and Shah Mahmood Qureshi. During proceedings, statements of 44 prosecution witnesses were recorded.
The court noted that 18 accused repeatedly remained absent during trial, while 29 suspects never appeared after the case was registered. Under Section 21-L of the Anti-Terrorism Act, a separate trial was conducted for 47 proclaimed offenders.
Despite court notices and newspaper advertisements issued on January 8 this year, none of the accused surrendered before the court. After recording testimony from 19 witnesses, the court concluded the trial and announced the convictions.
The case regarding the May 9 GHQ attack was registered at RA Bazaar police station in Rawalpindi.
About The Author
