ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday sentenced 11 PTI leaders and workers, including MNA Abdul Latif and former MPA Wazir Zada in the May 9 arson case related to an attack on the Ramna police station.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict, sentencing the accused to a combined total of 15 years and four months in prison along with fines on various charges including terrorism, arson, attempted murder and obstructing police duty.
Following the announcement of the verdict, police took four of the convicts – Muhammad Akram, Meera Khan, Shahzaib and Sohail Khan – into custody from the courtroom. Arrest warrants were issued for the remaining absentees.
MNA Abdul Latif was not present in the court when the verdict was announced. The lawmaker can be disqualified for five years if the conviction is maintained by higher judiciary.
In his verdict, the judge stated that the accused attacked the Ramna police station, opened fire, pelted stones, and attempted to kill police officers. The accused also set motorcycles on fire for their own purposes.
Testimonies of 24 witnesses were recorded against the accused, and an identification parade was conducted before magistrates.
This case is one of many stemming from the nationwide violence on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, during which several government properties and police installations were attacked.