Pakistan’s Military Courts Sentence 60 PTI Leaders to Prison for May 9 Incidents
Islamabad:In a significant legal development, Pakistan’s military courts have sentenced 60 leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years. The individuals were convicted for their involvement in the violent incidents that took place on May 9, 2023, across various parts of the country.
Among the sentenced individuals is **Hassan Niazi**, the nephew of former Prime Minister **Imran Khan**, who received a 10-year prison sentence for his role in the attack on **Jinnah House in Lahore**.
Another notable individual among the 60 convicted is **Brigadier Javed Akram** (Retd.), a senior PTI leader and former candidate for the Punjab Assembly. At 76 years old, Brigadier Akram is one of the oldest individuals held in military custody. He was sentenced to **6 years in prison** for his involvement in the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore.
Also sentenced was **Mian Muhammad Akram Usman**, the son-in-law of former Punjab opposition leader **Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed**, who received a **2-year prison sentence** for his participation in the same attack.
**Haider Majid**, a friend of Hassan Niazi and a PTI candidate for the Punjab Assembly from a Lahore constituency, was also convicted and sentenced to **2 years in prison** for his role in the attack on Jinnah House.
The 9 May incidents, which led to widespread violence and attacks on military and civilian institutions, have resulted in legal and political turmoil in Pakistan. The military courts have swiftly processed the cases, and the PTI leadership has come under heavy scrutiny for the actions of its members during the riots.
The sentences come amid an ongoing crackdown on PTI leaders and workers, with military courts being used to expedite cases related to the violence of May 9. The crackdown has further deepened political divisions in the country, with PTI supporters and leadership accusing the government of political victimization.
