Pakistan Court Sentences 166 Members of Imran Khan's Party to 10 Years in Prison
An anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad, Pakistan, has sentenced 166 members of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to 10 years in prison each. The convictions relate to the May 9, 2023, attacks on military installations, including an ISI building, following Khan's arrest. Those sentenced include senior lawmakers and opposition leaders. The PTI has condemned the verdict as politically motivated and part of a plan to disqualify its parliamentarians ahead of a planned protest movement.
Unpacked:
On May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted nationwide after Imran Khan's arrest. Rioters attacked and damaged government and military installations, including an ISI office, army headquarters, and other key sites. The violence resulted in deaths, injuries, and widespread property damage, with authorities alleging that PTI leaders orchestrated the attacks.
PTI contends the convictions aim to suppress opposition and disqualify its lawmakers before protest movements. They argue the cases are baseless, mass convictions are unprecedented, and the legal process is unfair, especially as sentences coincide with planned PTI rallies. PTI also alleges the government and military are targeting the party to eliminate its political influence.
Authorities claim that PTI leaders planned and incited the attacks using evidence such as geo-fencing and intercepted communications. They argue the scale and coordination of violence against military and government sites warranted strong legal action under anti-terrorism laws to deter future unrest and protect national security.
The convictions remove many PTI leaders from parliament, weakening the party's political power and ability to organize protests. This could consolidate the current government's hold on power but may also fuel perceptions of political repression, deepen polarization, and provoke further unrest among PTI supporters.