Pakistan Court Sentences Journalists, Ex-Officers to Life Terms Over Imran Khan Protest Violence

A special anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced seven individuals — including journalists, YouTubers and former military officers — to multiple life terms in connection with the violent unrest that erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in May 2023.

The verdict relates to the nationwide protests of May 9, when Khan’s brief detention sparked large-scale demonstrations by supporters of his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). The protests quickly escalated into widespread violence, with mobs attacking military installations, torching government buildings and vandalising public property across multiple cities.

The court convicted seven individuals on charges of waging war against the state, criminal conspiracy and incitement of violence through digital platforms. Those sentenced include prominent journalists and online commentators — Adil Raja, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Raza Mehdi and Moeed Pirzada — along with former army official Akbar Hussain.

Cases against the accused were registered at Ramna and Aabpara police stations in Islamabad following the unrest. Prosecutors argued that the convicts used social media, YouTube channels and online broadcasts to provoke instability and encourage attacks on state institutions during and after the protests.

The verdict was delivered by an anti-terrorism court operating under Pakistan’s stringent anti-terror laws. Proceedings were conducted in absentia, as all seven individuals were reported to be residing abroad and did not return to Pakistan to face trial despite repeated summons.

Under the ruling, each convict received two separate life sentences, one for attempting to wage war against Pakistan and another for criminal conspiracy. In addition, the court imposed a further 35 years of cumulative imprisonment under other legal provisions, along with financial penalties.

Each individual was fined 500,000 Pakistani rupees per major offence, along with an additional 1.5 million rupees under supplementary charges. The court stated that failure to pay the fines would result in an additional six months of imprisonment per unpaid amount.

Three of those convicted — Raja, Mehdi and Hussain — are former members of Pakistan’s armed forces, a factor highlighted by prosecutors to argue aggravating circumstances. The remaining individuals are journalists and analysts known for their public criticism of Pakistan’s military establishment and for expressing views sympathetic to Imran Khan following his removal from office in 2022.

The court order noted that all convicts retain the legal right to challenge the verdict before the Islamabad High Court within seven days of the judgment.

The ruling comes amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent following the May 9 violence, which authorities have described as an unprecedented challenge to Pakistan’s military and state authority. Thousands of PTI supporters were arrested in the aftermath, while several civilians were tried in military courts, drawing criticism from human rights organisations and press freedom advocates.

The case marks one of the most severe judicial actions taken against media figures in Pakistan in recent years, intensifying debate over freedom of expression, the use of anti-terror laws and the shrinking space for political dissent in the country.