ATC sentences accused to an extra 35 years in jail and fines Rs1.5m after ex-parte trial

The sentences were pronounced by Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra in cases described in FIRs as “digital terrorism” against state institutions in connection with the events of May 9, 2023. In addition to life imprisonment, the court imposed cumulative sentences amounting to 35 years under other legal provisions, along with total fines of Rs1.5 million.

The court awarded life imprisonment to Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, and Syed Akbar Hussain in cases registered at Aabpara Police Station. Meanwhile, separate cases lodged at Ramna Police Station resulted in life sentences for Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Mehdi, and Wajahat Saeed.

The prosecution, led by Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani, presented testimony from 24 witnesses during the proceedings. At the prosecution’s request, the ATC conducted and concluded the trial in the absence of the accused. Advocate Gulfam Ashraf Goraya was appointed by the court to represent the accused individuals. The court observed that under the Anti-Terrorism Act, trials may lawfully proceed in the absence of an accused, provided all legal requirements are fulfilled.