LAHORE; Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former senator Ejaz Chaudhry has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking suspension of the sentence handed down to him by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in connection with the May 9 violence cases.
Chaudhry’s counsel, Advocate Mian Ali Ishfaq, filed petitions before the court arguing that the ATC verdict in cases registered at Lahore’s Sarwar Road and Shadman police stations was unjust and politically motivated. He maintained that Chaudhry has remained in custody since the beginning of the proceedings and continues to languish in jail despite filing appeals against his conviction.
The petition contended that the appeals challenging his conviction are already pending adjudication before the high court. It further argued that the trial court awarded punishment contrary to the facts of the case and that Chaudhry was being targeted for political reasons.
The petition requested the LHC to suspend his sentence until the appeals are decided, grant bail, and order his release.
The May 9, 2023 incidents erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case, sparking nationwide riots. Demonstrators attacked state and military installations, including the Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) in Lahore, sparking widespread condemnation.
The violence led to hundreds of arrests of PTI leaders and supporters, who were subsequently charged under terrorism and other serious offences. Ejaz Chaudhry, a senior PTI figure, was among those arrested and later convicted by the ATC in relation to the unrest.
