ATC Faisalabad Sentences PTI Leaders to 10 Years in May 9 Case: Inside the Court’s Reasoning
What the ATC Faisalabad Judgment on May 9 Really Said
The Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad has sentenced senior PTI leaders — and more than a hundred other party members — to 10 years in prison over the events of May 9. Nine parliamentarians lost their seats the same day.
The verdict runs 71 pages. Not light reading. But buried in the legal language is a picture of how the court sees those protests, and the people it believes were behind them.
How the Court Started the Story
Early in the judgment, the court says the unrest began “on the asking of leadership of PTI.” That’s written as fact, not as an allegation. Which means, in the court’s view, the link between leaders and protestors was already established before even discussing the arguments or evidence.
The Evidence — and What’s Missing
The prosecution leaned on social media: screenshots, videos, and online posts. There were also photos of damage, injuries, and eyewitness accounts of clashes with police. Those parts are clear.
What’s less clear is the connection to alleged planning by PTI leaders. One police witness claimed to have overheard discussions about “instigation” at Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence. The judgment doesn’t explain how. Another claim was about a “secret meeting” in a hotel, based on what an unnamed source told police.
Political Victimisation?
The accused said they were targeted for their politics. The court noted it — then dismissed it quickly, saying not every PTI leader had been charged. For many legal observers, that wasn’t much of an answer.
History Lessons
The ruling even compares May 9 to the 1857 uprising and points out that the laws used date back to British colonial rule. Interesting context, but it doesn’t resolve the main legal questions.
Guilt by Presence
The court’s position was simple: if you were in the room during the alleged planning, you’re guilty. No need to prove you spoke or acted. One person was acquitted because they couldn’t be placed there.
What Happens Next
Out of 185 accused, 108 were convicted, 77 acquitted. Appeals are coming, but the Election Commission has already moved to fill the vacant seats. If higher courts overturn these convictions later, it’s unclear how the political fallout will be handled.
For now, the judgment stands. But its reasoning — and the precedent it sets — will be watched closely in the months ahead.
