Post by : Meena Ariff

In Pakistan, a big decision was made by the courts yesterday that shocked many people. Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, who is the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Along with him, more than three dozen members and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have also been sentenced to 10 years each.

These punishments were given by anti-terrorism courts in the eastern cities of Lahore and Sargodha. The courts said that these people were guilty of being part of anti-government riots. These riots took place last year when Imran Khan was first arrested.

The Deputy Minister of Law, Aqeel Malik, spoke in a press conference about this. He said, “Punjab Assembly’s Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar has been awarded a 10-year sentence.” This means Bhachar will spend 10 years in jail for his role in the riots.

Who is Malik Ahmad Bhachar?

Malik Ahmad Bhachar is a strong political leader. He is the head of the opposition in Punjab province, which is the most populous and powerful province in Pakistan. After the court announced his punishment, Bhachar shared his feelings on social media. He said he will not leave his support for Imran Khan. He wrote that he will continue to stand with Khan no matter what happens.

However, even though he was given a 10-year sentence, he was not arrested until Tuesday evening. This was confirmed by a spokesperson close to Bhachar.

Who Else Was Sentenced?

Apart from Bhachar, many other important people were also given 10-year sentences. In Sargodha, the court sentenced a sitting lawmaker, a former parliamentarian, and 32 other supporters for attacking government buildings during the riots. This shows that the government and courts are taking strict action against those involved in the violence.

In Lahore, another court gave the same 10-year punishment to eight people for their role in the riots that happened in the city. The people who were sentenced include some very famous names in Pakistani politics:

• Omar Sarfraz Cheema, who was once the governor of Punjab province

• Yasmin Rashid, who was a provincial minister

• Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhary, who is currently a senator

All of them were given 10-year jail sentences. But there was also some relief for a few people.

Who Was Freed?

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was declared not guilty by the court along with five other people. This means he does not have to go to jail for this case. His supporters and well-wishers welcomed this decision.

Why Did the Riots Happen?

These riots took place in May 2023. At that time, Imran Khan was arrested for the first time after he stepped down as prime minister in 2022. His arrest made thousands of his supporters very angry. People came out on the streets in protest. Some of them attacked police stations, government offices, and even military buildings.

Because of this violence, many people were arrested. The courts have now given sentences to those who attacked police and civilian buildings in Khan’s home cities of Mianwali and Lahore. However, those who attacked military buildings are facing different trials in military courts. This means their cases are being heard separately by special military judges.

What Are Khan’s Supporters Saying?

People close to Imran Khan have said that they will challenge these court decisions in higher courts. They believe that these punishments are unfair. They said that the trials were not done properly and that the judges were not neutral. One of Khan’s spokesmen, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, said, “These prosecutions show a disturbing pattern of unfair trials, selective justice, and breaking of constitutional rights.”

He also said that the trials were done too quickly without giving enough time to the lawyers to defend their clients. He called these trials “political shows” that are happening at a very fast speed. He said that the hearings were happening daily and even late at night till 10:40 PM on Saturdays, which is not normal for court cases.

What is the Situation of Imran Khan Now?

Imran Khan was the prime minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022. After he lost power, many cases were filed against him. In August 2023, he was jailed on corruption charges. His supporters say that these charges are not real but have been made only to keep him away from politics.

Even today, Imran Khan is still in jail. His name has been banned on TV channels, and many of his close leaders have been arrested. Thousands of his supporters have also been arrested by the government. This has created a lot of anger among his followers.

Last year, a panel of experts from the United Nations said that Imran Khan’s arrest had no legal basis. They said that his arrest was only to stop him from taking part in the elections. Many people believe that Imran Khan is still very popular among the people of Pakistan. His popularity is creating problems for the current government.

What is Happening in Pakistan’s Politics?

Right now, Pakistan is ruled by a coalition government. This means many parties have come together to form the government and keep Khan away from power. But even then, Imran Khan’s popularity is very high. Many people still want him to come back as prime minister.

The decision to punish so many of Khan’s supporters has created tension in the country. People are saying that the government is trying to destroy his political movement by putting its leaders in jail. But Khan’s supporters are saying that they will not lose hope. They will continue to fight these cases in higher courts and will not leave their leader.

Why is This Important for Pakistan?

This situation is very important because it shows that political fights in Pakistan are becoming more serious. When popular leaders are sent to jail, their supporters become angry. This can create more protests and violence. Also, when courts and governments punish so many political leaders, it creates questions about justice and fairness in the country.

Many people are hoping that Pakistan’s leaders and courts will follow the laws and give fair decisions. They believe that only fair and just actions can bring peace and stability to the country.

For now, the future of Imran Khan, Malik Ahmad Bhachar, and other jailed leaders remains uncertain. Their supporters are waiting to see what will happen next and whether they will get justice from the higher courts.