Three years after the events of May 9, 2023, Punjab Police has released a comprehensive report detailing the progress of investigations, arrests, and judicial proceedings linked to the incidents across the province.
The report outlines the legal status of hundreds of cases and provides an overview of ongoing court proceedings involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers.
In this regard, a total of 319 cases were registered across Punjab following the May 9 incidents. Authorities stated that 35,962 individuals were nominated in these cases, while 11,367 suspects have so far been arrested.
So far, police officials further revealed that charge sheets have been submitted in 307 cases, whereas challans in 12 cases are still pending.
The report also noted that 24,595 PTI workers were placed in the category of unidentified suspects during the investigations. Punjab Police maintained that the PTI founding chairman and members of the party’s central leadership have been named as accused in multiple cases related to the May 9 events.
The broader PTI leadership has also been nominated in various cases registered after the unrest.
So far, verdicts have been announced in 22 cases linked to the May 9 incidents. The report added that senior PTI leader Shah محمود Qureshi was acquitted in one of the cases during the judicial proceedings.
The report mentioned that Rawalpindi district alone has 12 pending cases related to the May 9 incidents, including the high-profile GHQ Gate No. 1 and GHQ Gate No. 4 cases.
Police further stated that all May 9 cases are being conducted through video link hearings and jail trial notifications. The military courts have sentenced 32 accused persons, including Hassan Niazi, to 10 years imprisonment each.
Additionally, senior political figures including Dr. Yasmin Rashid, former Punjab Governor Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Mahmood-ur-Rasheed were reportedly awarded 10-year prison sentences. Allama Hamid Raza, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Zartaj Gul, and Omar Ayub were also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in related cases.
