The verdict adds to the former ruling party’s legal and political woes — triggered by the infamous May 9 riots which saw military installations including Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) being vandalised by mobs following Khan’s arrest in a graft case

Abid Raza/DNA

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Sargodha on Tuesday sentenced Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar, MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha and several other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers to 10 years each in prison in vandalism case related to May 9 riots.

Bachar was not present in the court at the time of pronouncement of the verdict.

The case was registered in Mianwali over vandalism and riots related to the protests triggered by the arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in a corruption case on May 9, 2023.

All 32 accused including Bachar were granted exemption from personal appearance by the court.

The verdict adds to the former ruling party’s legal and political woes — triggered by the infamous May 9 riots which saw military installations including Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) being vandalised by mobs following Khan’s arrest in a graft case.