Islamabad Courts Sentences 13 PTI Supporters to Six Months in Jail

Islamabad, Pakistan – On July 24, 2025, Islamabad's district and sessions courts sentenced 13 supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to six months of imprisonment due to their involvement in the November 2024 protests, known as the "Final Call" protests. The convictions were made under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order (PAPO) Act, which had been enacted only two months prior to the protests, and several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The court ruled that the protests involved incitement, disruption of public life, and unlawful conduct, which justified the sentences.

The PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, had called for nationwide demonstrations on November 24, 2024, demanding the reversal of the 26th Amendment and the restoration of the party's electoral mandate. In response to the protests, the government had initiated a crackdown, leading to claims of several deaths among PTI supporters, which the government officially denied. During the unrest, four Rangers personnel and a police officer lost their lives.

According to court documents, the hearings for the cases, presided over by Judicial Magistrates Ahmad Shahzad Gondal and Mureed Abbas, included multiple first information reports (FIRs) registered by the Islamabad police. The court found that the defendants had not presented any witnesses in their defense. Judge Gondal emphasized that the protests were in defiance of administrative directives, stating, "The object of this protest was against the law and Constitution of Pakistan."

The convicts were ordered to serve their sentences concurrently and were transferred to Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail. Among those sentenced were Banaras Khan, Hazratullah Saeed, and Irfanullah Shahwali, who were convicted under Section 8 of the PAPO Act and Section 188 of the PPC. The judges noted that the police had failed to substantiate their claims in some cases, leading to the acquittal of Hammad Aziz, who was on bail during the proceedings.

In a separate ruling, an Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) discharged 13 individuals from a case tied to a protest on October 5, 2024, citing a lack of incriminating evidence against them. This decision came amidst a series of legal battles faced by PTI leaders, including a recent case where several were sentenced to ten years in prison related to the May 9, 2023 riots.

The broader context of these legal actions reflects the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan, characterized by the PTI's challenges against the current government and the judicial system's responses to public dissent. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how these legal rulings will influence PTI's political strategies and public support in the lead-up to future elections. Political analysts suggest that the government's tough stance may further polarize the political landscape, with potential implications for democracy and civil liberties in Pakistan.

As the country grapples with these issues, the leadership of the PTI, alongside its supporters, is expected to intensify its efforts to mobilize public opinion against what they describe as state oppression. The outcomes of ongoing protests and legal challenges will likely play a critical role in shaping the future of political discourse in Pakistan.