New Delhi (India) March 7:On Saturday, 47 leaders and supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were sentenced to 10 years jail term and a PKR 5,00,000 fine in absence of court imposed by an anti-terrorism court for vandalism and violence on May 9, 2023, protest.
Amjad Ali Shah, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) Rawalpindi judge, ruled that the 47 already established as proclaimed offenders have been guilty. 

Guilty of Arson, Vandalism at GHQ and Metro Station

The PTI supporters were charged with acts of arson, siege and vandalism, and attack on law enforcement, also damaging government facilities, all connected to attacks on GHQ gate, Hamza Camp, Army Museum and Sixth Road Metro Station. 

Each was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years jail at a fine of PKR 5,00,000 per convict, and confiscating his or her movable and immovable property. The convicted accused, if not paid the fine, will then have to be imprisoned again. 

Key Convicts Include Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Others

The convicted PTI leaders included Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, Shahbaz Gill, Zulfi Bukhari, Murad Saeed, Zartaj Gul, Hammad Azhar, Kanwal Shauzab, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Ejaz Khan Jazi, Shaukat Ali Bhatti, Usman Saeed Basra, Muhammad Ahmad Chattha, Rai Hassan Nawaz, and Rai Muhammad Murtaza.
The JIT noted that the guilty accused had been involved in the May 9 attacks and were deemed among the main suspects in the planning of the violent protests. 

Protests Erupted After Imran Khan's Arrest in 2023

Workers and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched the countrywide protest after the arrest of former Prime Minister and party founder Imran Khan in Islamabad.
A mob of demonstrators also attempted to break into Rawalpindi where the General Headquarters, the location of the army chief, was also vandalized. The case was registered at the RA Bazar Police Station, Rawalpindi, soon after the incident. 

Part of Larger Case with 118 Accused, Including Khan

Due to the fact that the 47 alleged perpetrators had been previously declared proclaimed criminals, 47 had not appeared in the court and have been charged separately pursuant to Section 21-L Anti-Terrorism Act.
The GHQ attack case is one element in a bigger case involving 118 accused. Among them are PTI founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. All 118 accused were formally charged in December 2024.