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A Pakistani court has sentenced life imprisonment to 7 people considered supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This matter is related to the violent protests that took place in 2023 after the arrest of Imran.
According to news agency PTI, the seven were prosecuted for their involvement in digital terrorism against state institutions. The court said that these people used online platforms to incite violence and unrest during the protests.
Those convicted include YouTuber Adil Raja, journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir and Shaheen Sahbai, television anchor Haider Raza Mehdi, analyst Moeed Pirzada and former army officer Akbar Hussain.
This decision was given by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra of Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court. At present all the accused are absconding and have not returned to Pakistan for trial, hence the trial was held in their absence. The court also directed the police to arrest them and put them in jail if they return to Pakistan.
Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan threw stones at the police on May 9, 2023.
Imran supporters had damaged government property
This matter is of 9 May 2023, when supporters of Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party held large demonstrations across the country to protest against his arrest.
Protesters set fire to army buildings and damaged government property in several cities, following which the government initiated a crackdown.
The Pakistani government and military have launched a sweeping crackdown against Imran Khan’s party and opponents, using anti-terrorism laws to prosecute hundreds of people on charges of incitement and attacks on state institutions.
After the protests in 2023 against the arrest of Imran Khan, the Pakistan government has started action against his party.
Currently all the culprits are living abroad
The prosecution alleges that these seven people made inflammatory speeches using social media and online platforms. Shared anti-state posts and tried to spread hatred against state institutions.
All those punished had left Pakistan after the removal of the Imran government and are currently living abroad.
His party workers had demonstrated in 2023 against the arrest of Imran Khan.
Court imposed a fine of Rs 15 lakh
The court sentenced each accused to life imprisonment on two charges of waging or attempting to wage war against Pakistan and two counts of criminal conspiracy.
The court also imposed a total additional imprisonment of 35 years and an additional fine of Rs 15 lakh on each accused under other legal provisions.
As per the court order, non-payment of fine will result in additional imprisonment of six months.
All the convicts have the right to appeal against the sentence in Islamabad High Court within seven days.
This decision has sparked a new debate in Pakistan regarding press freedom and action against Imran Khan’s supporters.
Journalist Saeed Khan said – summons were never sent, it is all a drama
Upon the court’s decision, New York-based journalist Saeed Khan said in a statement that he “was never sent any summons, was never informed of any proceedings, and was never contacted by the court.”
“This verdict is not justice. It is a political drama that is being unfairly conducted without credibility,” he said, according to Reuters.
Imran Khan has been in jail for more than 2 years
More than 100 cases are pending against Imran Khan and he is in jail since August 2023. He has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case, which includes charges like selling government gifts (Toshakhana case) and leaking government secrets.
Pakistani Army has described former Prime Minister Imran Khan as ‘mentally ill’.
Imran is accused of selling land worth billions of rupees to Al-Qadir Trust cheaply. Imran was arrested in this case on 9 May 2023. After this, many important army bases were attacked across the country.
Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had booked Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and 6 other persons in December 2023 in the Al-Qadir Trust case. However, before this case was registered against Imran, he was already lodged in Adiala jail in the Toshakhana case.
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