Seven senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were each sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the 2023 riots.
According to a court official speaking to PTI, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore convicted Senator Ijaz Chaudhry, former Punjab governor Sarfraz Cheema, ex-provincial ministers Yasmin Rashid and Mahmoodur Rashid, and lawyer Azeem Pahat — who had contested the last election against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore — for their involvement in the May 9, 2023, Sharpao Bridge riots.
All seven leaders are also facing multiple other cases linked to the May 9 unrest, with terrorism charges filed against them. Political analysts expect further convictions in the days ahead.
