Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad has sentenced several individuals to double life imprisonment in a case linked to online activity targeting state institutions, connected to the fallout from the May 9 unrest.
The verdict, announced on Thursday, named Adil Raja, Haider Mehdi, Wajahat Saeed, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada among those handed multiple life terms. The case is part of a broader set of prosecutions stemming from the events of May 9, 2023, when protests erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
According to the judgment, the court framed the defendants’ online activity as part of coordinated campaigns that contributed to unrest and targeted state institutions. Prosecutors argued that digital platforms were used to amplify disorder and undermine national security, bringing the conduct within the ambit of anti-terrorism laws.
The May 9 protests escalated into violent incidents in several cities, including attacks on military installations, government buildings, and public property. In response, authorities launched a nationwide crackdown, arresting thousands and initiating trials under anti-terrorism legislation.
Defence lawyers in related cases have raised concerns about due process and the application of terrorism statutes to speech and online conduct, issues that have fueled wider debate over civil liberties and the balance between security and free expression.
Legal experts expect appeals to be filed, with higher courts likely to scrutinize the evidentiary basis of the convictions and the interpretation of online activity under anti-terrorism laws. The written judgment is awaited to clarify the sections invoked and the court’s detailed reasoning.
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