The Islamabad High Court has officially suspended the sentences of 10 individuals convicted for their participation in the protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. A division bench, comprised of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, rendered their decision on Friday, granting bail to the convicts upon the payment of surety bonds worth PKR 25,000 each, as reported by The Express Tribune.
These protests erupted as enraged followers of Imran Khan reacted violently, targeting military and civilian infrastructure across the nation. The anti-terrorism court had sentenced these individuals to a combined total of five years and ten months for allegedly attacking police officers and setting fire to checkpoints at the Faizabad Interchange, one of Islamabad’s key sites. This verdict was delivered back in November 2024, sparking concern and debate.
While explaining the reasons for the suspension, the Islamabad High Court noted, "The accused were not caught from the crime scene, yet they were convicted." This pivotal point highlighted the weaknesses within the trial proceedings and called attention to the evidence—or lack thereof—against the defendants. Their lawyers emphasized to the court how the initial charge of terrorism against the accused was dismissed, with the court instead convicting them on lesser offenses.
According to the records provided, the conviction was primarily based on forensic evidence and CCTV footage, which the prosecution defended as valid justification for the guilty verdict. Yet, the High Court took issue with the parameters of this evidence, maintaining strong doubts over the legitimacy of the earlier court’s conclusions.
Remarkably, of the ten convicted individuals, five were identified as Afghan nationals. This detail has stirred significant discussion within Pakistan, where the government has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of using Afghan refugees to bolster their protests. The PTI, on the other hand, has firmly rejected these allegations.
Following the court’s ruling, the judges mandated the convicts to submit their original identity documents to the deputy registrar for verification, particularly concerning their status as Afghan citizens. The court stipulated, "in case of Afghan citizenship, the deputy registrar will retain the documents." This ruling reflects heightened scrutiny and sensitivity toward the trial’s demographic aspects amid wider national concerns over immigration issues.
Importantly, the court directed all ten individuals to appear for forthcoming hearings as the appeals process plays out. This sets the stage for continued legal wrangling and adds yet another layer to the already politically charged atmosphere accompanying Imran Khan's political endeavors.
Khan's arrest on May 9 provoked nationwide protests, with reactions spilling over not just in major urban centers but also echoing throughout remote districts. Serious clashes ensued, prompting the Pakistani military to intervene across various provinces—Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were among those requisitioning armed forces to maintain order.
After Khan's arrest, the PTI saw hundreds of its supporters detained, with scores charged under various laws relating to the violence. This mass crackdown raised alarm within human rights circles, serving as yet another symptom of the political tensions boiling over within Pakistan.
Aside from the legal repercussions of the aforementioned protests, the political fallout continues to reverberate. Just this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made overtures to the PTI leadership, proposing to revive stalled negotiations via parliamentary channels. This offer, intended to cool the political climate, was rebuffed, indicating the remaining fractures between the government and the opposition.
Khan's latest legal troubles compound the situation, with some experts asserting the multitude of cases piling against him are politically motivated. Earlier this month, Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, received substantial sentences of 14 and seven years, respectively, after being found guilty of corruption linked to the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Yet, as the tumultuous political scene evolves, memos of frustration and defiance echo throughout Khan’s constituency and party affiliates. The PTI maintains its position, arguing not only for legal justice but for broader political rights and recognition amid what they perceive as growing governmental overreach against dissent.
With the court’s decision to suspend the convictions marking a significant turn, the next stages of both legal and wider political battles loom large on Pakistan's horizon.