An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has sentenced PTI Member of National Assembly Abdul Latif and 10 co-accused to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the violent protests of May 9, 2023. The case, linked to the unrest following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was registered at the Ramna police station.
The court found the defendants guilty under multiple anti-terrorism charges, including attempted murder, arson, obstruction of law enforcement, and unlawful assembly. The verdict breaks down the sentence into 5 years for attempted murder of police officers, 4 years for setting fire to a motorcycle, 3 years for hindering police duties, and one year for forming a criminal assembly.
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Judge of the ATC, while delivering the verdict, emphasized the importance of peaceful protest in a democratic society. He criticized the accused for attacking police stations and state institutions, calling such actions a threat to national stability. “When citizens turn against the protectors of law, the consequences are grave for the entire country,” the judge remarked.
The conviction of a sitting MNA adds a new layer of political complexity to the aftermath of the May 9 events, which continue to send ripples through Pakistan’s legal and political landscape. The court relied heavily on the testimonies of 20 prosecution witnesses, including magistrates, in reaching its decision.
