- Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court awarded double life sentences to prominent journalists and YouTubers.
- The verdict relates to charges of digital terrorism linked to the widespread May 9th incidents in 2023.
- Moeed Pirzada, Saber Shakir, and others were sentenced in absentia and fined Rs 1.5 million collectively.
The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) delivered a significant verdict on Friday, sentencing several prominent journalists and YouTubers, including Saber Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, and Adil Raja, to multiple terms of life imprisonment. The ruling concludes the trial concerning charges of “digital terrorism” allegedly aimed at disrupting state institutions during the tumultuous events of May 9, 2023.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra, after reserving the decision upon the completion of the trial proceedings, announced the sentences which included two counts of life imprisonment for the accused. Furthermore, the court reportedly handed down cumulative sentences totaling 35 years under various other sections of the law. A collective fine amounting to Rs 1.5 million was also imposed on the convicted individuals.
According to sources, the case specifically dealt with the use of online platforms by the accused to allegedly compromise national security and public order following the events of May 9. The prosecution presented a total of 24 witnesses to the court during the proceedings. It is important to note that the trial was conducted in the absence of the accused, a procedure legally permissible under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act for such specific cases.
Details emerging from the judgment specify which individuals were sentenced under which police station cases. For instance, Saber Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, and Syed Akbar Hussain reportedly received life sentences in the case registered at the Aabpara Police Station. Separately, Shahin Sehbai, Haider Mehdi, and Wajahat Saeed were reportedly convicted in the case filed at the Ramna Police Station. The court relied on the completion of the trial in absentia, a step taken upon the request of the prosecution. Legal representation for the accused, in their absence, was provided by Advocate Gulfam Ashraf Goraiya, who was appointed as the defense counsel by the court itself. The verdict underscores the serious legal implications of digital content deemed detrimental to state security, especially concerning the highly charged atmosphere surrounding the events of May 2023.