Pakistani Court Imprisons 108 Members Of The Opposition

A Pakistani court sentenced 108 members of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party to prison for their alleged roles in the deadly 2023 nationwide protests that followed Khan’s arrest, delivering a major blow to the embattled opposition, Euronews reported. 

On Thursday, the anti-terrorism court issued the sentences to members of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), with the defendants including Omar Ayub Khan, a senior PTI leader and the official opposition leader, who received a 10-year prison term.  

He did not participate in the May 2023 demonstrations but was found guilty of aiding and abetting violence and plotting to incite riots and arson. 

The ruling also disqualified six PTI lawmakers from parliament, further diminishing the party’s political presence as it continues to reel from a sweeping crackdown since last year. 

Opposition politicians criticized the allegations as “baseless” and described the court’s decision as a “dark moment” for Pakistan’s democracy. 

PTI said it would appeal the convictions. 

Thursday’s verdict comes more than two years after protests erupted across the country following Khan’s arrest on corruption charges in May 2023.  

The demonstrations quickly escalated into violence, with Khan’s supporters accused of attacking military installations, government buildings, and vehicles.  

At least 10 people were killed. 

In response, the government launched a major crackdown on the PTI, arresting thousands and charging its top leadership under terrorism laws. 

Despite remaining hugely popular, Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 and faces more than 150 legal cases, including allegations of terrorism and leaking state secrets, the BBC added. 

He and his supporters insist that the charges against him are politically motivated. 

Although barred from running candidates in the 2024 general election, PTI-backed independent candidates won the most seats in the National Assembly but were blocked from forming a government.