An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad cancelled the arrest warrant for Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, on Thursday. The warrant had initially been issued earlier in the day in connection with a protest organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on October 4, 2024.
The decision came after Ayub’s lawyer appeared before the court and submitted an exemption plea, which was accepted by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, leading to the suspension of the bailable arrest warrant.
Case Background
The case against Omar Ayub and several other PTI leaders was filed at the Shahzad Town police station. It stemmed from clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement personnel during a protest that took place on October 4, 2024. The demonstration, part of PTI’s larger movement against the ruling coalition, had turned chaotic, leading to a police crackdown and multiple arrests.
Exemption for Azam Swati
During the same ATC hearing, PTI Senator Azam Swati was granted exemption from personal court appearance. The request had been submitted a day prior, and the court accepted the plea without any objections.
The court adjourned further proceedings in the case until July 30, allowing time for legal submissions and appearances from all involved parties.
PTI Workers Sentenced in Public Order Cases
Meanwhile, a lower court in Islamabad delivered verdicts in two separate cases filed under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act. These cases were linked to a PTI protest held on November 26.
Judicial Magistrates Ahmed Shehzad Gondal and Mureed Abbas announced the reserved decisions on Thursday. In total, 12 PTI workers were sentenced to six months in prison. One individual was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
These decisions reflect the judiciary’s ongoing crackdown on PTI-linked demonstrations, many of which have been categorized as disruptive to public peace and order.
ATC Sentences Senior PTI Leaders Over May 9 Riots
The Thursday developments follow a string of rulings earlier in the week, where multiple anti-terrorism courts across Punjab handed down lengthy jail sentences to senior PTI leaders. These cases were linked to the May 9, 2023, riots — a turning point in Pakistan’s political crisis.
On Tuesday, an ATC sentenced several high-profile PTI figures to 10 years in prison. The convicted included:
- Dr. Yasmin Rashid
- Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed
- Former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema
- PTI Senator Ejaz Chaudhry
- Afzal Azeem Pahat
These leaders were found guilty of instigating and participating in violent activities following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan last year. The court maintained that their actions led to significant property damage and public unrest.
Notable Acquittals
However, the court acquitted several key figures in the same May 9 case due to lack of evidence or contradictory testimonies. Those acquitted include:
- Former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi
- Hamza Azeem Pahat
- Rana Tanveer
- Aizaz Rafiq
The court noted that while their names were included in the FIR, the prosecution failed to present concrete evidence linking them directly to acts of violence.
Sargodha ATC Delivers Similar Verdicts
Adding to the legal troubles for PTI, an ATC in Sargodha also sentenced several party members to a decade in prison for their involvement in a vandalism case during the May 9 riots. Those sentenced include:
- Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ahmed Khan Bachar
- MNA Mohammad Ahmed Chattha
- Several local PTI workers
The Sargodha court ruled that their actions during the protests were premeditated and posed a serious threat to public order and safety.
Growing Legal Pressure on PTI
The cumulative effect of these court decisions signals intensifying legal pressure on PTI’s leadership and grassroots supporters. While some leaders have been cleared, the conviction of prominent party members underscores the state’s commitment to penalize those involved in political violence and unrest.
With further hearings scheduled in the coming weeks and more cases under trial, PTI faces an uphill battle both in court and in the political arena. The cancellation of Omar Ayub’s arrest warrant may offer a temporary reprieve, but the broader crackdown shows no signs of slowing down.
