Overview
- ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra convicted seven men over online activity linked to the May 9, 2023 unrest following Imran Khan’s arrest.
- The court named Adil Raja, Syed Akbar Hussain, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai and Haider Raza Mehdi.
- Each was given two life terms plus additional sentences totaling 35 years and fines of Rs1.5 million, with further jail time ordered if fines are unpaid.
- The trials were conducted in absentia with 24 prosecution witnesses and court‑appointed defense counsel, and police were directed to arrest the convicts if they return to Pakistan.
- The sentences are subject to Islamabad High Court confirmation as press freedom advocates such as CPJ denounce the prosecutions as retaliatory.