Islamabad, Jan 03 (V7N) - A Pakistani court has sentenced seven individuals to life imprisonment for inciting violence and spreading hatred against state institutions during the 2023 riots. The convicted include three journalists, two YouTubers, and two retired military officers.

The verdict was delivered in absentia by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra of Islamabad’s anti-terrorism court. None of the accused were present during the proceedings, as they have been living abroad in recent years to evade arrest.

The convicted are former editor Shaheen Sehbai; journalists Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada; YouTubers Wajahat Saeed Khan and Haider Raja Mehdi; and retired military officers Adil Raja and Akbar Hussain.

According to the court, the accused were involved in violent unrest in May 2023 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. During the riots, thousands of Imran Khan’s supporters attacked military installations, set fire to government properties, looted the residence of a senior army officer, and vandalized the Radio Pakistan building.

In 2024, Imran Khan was also accused of inciting violence against military and government targets, allegations he has denied. Pakistani authorities stated that the seven convicted individuals, known as public supporters of Imran Khan, incited people to violence on May 9, 2023, after repeated statements blaming the United States and Pakistan’s military for his removal from office.

The court has granted the seven a seven-day window to appeal the verdict. The ruling also instructs authorities to arrest and imprison them if they return to Pakistan.

Human rights advocates and journalists’ unions have expressed concern over shrinking freedom of expression and increasing media restrictions in Pakistan. The government, however, maintains that it supports freedom of speech but expects journalists and YouTubers to adhere to ethical standards and journalistic guidelines.

END/RBI/SMA/