RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has sentenced 20 individuals involved in the May 9 riots after they confessed to their crimes.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the anti-terrorism court presided over the case. During the hearing, the prosecutor informed the court that after the arrest of the PTI founder, the accused, under a planned scheme, attacked the railway station in Tarnol, Islamabad.
According to the prosecutor, the accused set fire to the railway station building, windows, doors, computers, and government records, causing extensive damage and destruction.
The court was told that all the accused had confessed to their guilt under Section 164 during the trial and had been on bail for two years. In their confessional statements, the accused stated that they participated in the attack at the instigation of the PTI leadership, took the law into their own hands under incitement, and are now deeply remorseful for their actions.
Appealing for leniency from the court, the accused stated that they are laborers and poor people and will refrain from any illegal activities in the future. They added that the PTI leadership provided neither financial assistance nor legal aid in the past two years, which has left them feeling alone and full of regret.
Granting leniency in the sentence based on the defendants’ request, the court handed down a sentence of six months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 rupees each.
The anti-terrorism court ordered the immediate arrest of the accused and their transfer to Adiala Jail, while also instructing the jail superintendent to implement the sentence.
