An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing seven individuals—including three prominent journalists, two YouTubers, and two retired military officers—to life imprisonment for their roles in instigating widespread violence during May 2023 riots. The convictions stem from coordinated efforts to spread hatred against state institutions following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges.
Presiding Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra conducted the trial in absentia, as all convicted individuals had previously fled Pakistan to avoid prosecution. The convicted parties include former editor Shaheen Sehbai, journalists Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada, digital content creators Wajahat Saeed Khan and Haider Raza Mehdi, alongside retired army officers Adil Raja and Akbar Hussain.
The court found that these individuals, known for their vocal support of Imran Khan, systematically incited violent demonstrations that targeted military installations and government property. The May 2023 unrest witnessed thousands of Khan’s supporters attacking strategic facilities, including the ransacking of a senior army officer’s residence and damaging the state-run Radio Pakistan building.
Prosecutors established that the convicted parties exploited their media platforms to encourage mob violence after Khan repeatedly attributed his 2022 ouster to a conspiracy involving the United States and Pakistan’s military establishment—allegations denied by all parties involved.
In response to the verdict, Sabir Shakir—formerly a prominent television host on ARY TV—denounced the ruling as “political victimization” during an interview with The Associated Press. Shakir revealed he had traveled to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage prior to the riots and subsequently sought political asylum in Britain, anticipating what he described as “fabricated cases” upon potential return to Pakistan.
The court has granted a seven-day window for appeals while directing authorities to apprehend the convicted individuals should they return to Pakistan. This case unfolds against growing concerns from human rights organizations and journalist unions about shrinking freedom of expression in Pakistan, though the government maintains that media professionals must adhere to ethical standards and journalistic principles.