Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has sentenced Member of National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif, former Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Wazir Zada, and nine other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists to 27 years in prison for attacking the Ramna Police Station during the violent protests on May 9, 2023. The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas.
Four of the convicted individuals—Muhammad Akram, Meera Khan, Shahzaib, and Sohail Khan—who were present in court at the time of the judgment, were taken into custody immediately. Arrest warrants were issued for the remaining absconding convicts.
According to the judgment, the accused were found guilty under multiple charges. These include a five-year sentence and Rs. 50,000 fine each for attempted murder of police officers, four years and Rs. 40,000 fines for torching motorcycles, another four years and Rs. 40,000 fines for setting the police station on fire, and three months for interfering in official duties. They were also sentenced to one month for violating Section 144 and two years for unlawful assembly. Additionally, the court handed down 10-year prison terms and Rs. 200,000 fines under terrorism charges.
While delivering the verdict, Judge Tahir Abbas Supra stated that the accused had attacked the Ramna Police Station and that 20 witnesses, including magistrates, testified against them. “There is a lawful and peaceful way to protest. Taking the law into your own hands and attacking institutions like police stations makes the country unlivable,” he remarked.
The attack on the Ramna Police Station was part of a wave of violent protests across the country triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, 2023, from within the premises of the Islamabad High Court.
On that day, PTI supporters launched nationwide protests, resulting in large-scale rioting, arson, and vandalism. In Lahore, the PML-N office in Model Town was set ablaze, and both military and civilian installations, as well as private and public properties, were targeted. At least eight people were killed, and 290 others were injured during the unrest.
Protesters also stormed the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence—known as Jinnah House—and broke a gate of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The Ramna Police Station in Islamabad was also set on fire during the chaos.
Following the riots, over 1,900 individuals were arrested nationwide for their involvement in attacks on law enforcement and government installations. Multiple cases were registered against PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, and party workers for inciting and participating in the violent events.
