Islamabad, October 3, 2025:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s denotified Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Chitral Abdul Latif on Friday surrendered before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad, months after being sentenced in absentia in a high-profile case related to the May 9 riots.
In a video message, Abdul Latif said he had “complete faith in the judiciary. We have always respected the law and will continue to do so.”
A petition was filed in the ATC on behalf of Mr Latif regarding his surrender, stating that the Peshawar High Court had ordered him to surrender before the relevant court.
On Friday, Mr Latif appeared before Anti-Terrorism Court No. 2 in Islamabad to surrender himself.
Judge Tahir Abbas Supra remarked:
“Latif Sahib! You delayed unnecessarily, but it’s good that you finally showed up.”
The court then ordered Abdul Latif Chitrali to be sent to jail to serve his sentence.
The ATC had earlier handed Abdul Latif a 27-year prison sentence in absentia for his alleged role in the attack on Ramna police station during the May 9 unrest that broke out following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. After the sentencing, the court issued orders for his immediate arrest. On the basis of the conviction, the Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified Latif as MNA.
Abdul Latif’s legal troubles have unfolded against the backdrop of a complex political and judicial environment. The Peshawar High Court (PHC) recently dismissed his petition challenging his disqualification and directed him to surrender before the competent court first, a decision that effectively paved the way for today’s development.
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had set aside convictions of many PTI workers in the Ramna police station attack case, but Latif skipped the hraring.
Abdul Latif, who represented Chitral in the National Assembly, had remained out of the public eye for several months before resurfacing to comply with the court’s directive. His surrender is expected to trigger the next phase of legal proceedings, including potential appeals against his conviction and renewed scrutiny of the evidence presented in the ATC.
PTI leaders argued that Abdul Latif’s appearance before the court reflects both his personal commitment to the rule of law and PTI’s determination to contest legal battles through institutional channels rather than confrontation.