A court in eastern Pakistan on Thursday (July 31, 2025) sentenced an Opposition leader and nearly 200 supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to 10 years in prison each over the 2023 riots that erupted over Khan’s arrest, officials said.

The court announced the verdict against 196 people, including Opposition leader Omar Ayub, in three separate cases heard in the city of Faisalabad in Punjab province. The charges stemmed from the May 9, 2023, violence that spread nationwide after Khan’s arrest.

The violence subsided only after Khan was released on the orders of Pakistan’s Supreme Court. However, a trial court later convicted him in August 2023, and he has not appeared in public since. Some of his supporters have since been tried and sentenced by military courts.

Among those convicted by the court Thursday were at least six members of the National Assembly and a senator from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI.

“They were accused of participating in attacks on military officers, government buildings and vehicles during the 2023 riots”, a defense lawyer Changaiz Kakar said.

He said it was the first time that political activists have been convicted and sentenced in such large numbers, and that appeals would be filed against these convictions and sentences.

Gohar Ali Khan, chairman of PTI, denounced the latest convictions, saying Ayub and others were sentenced in “baseless” cases. He said the verdicts came just ahead of planned rallies to mark the third anniversary of Khan’s conviction in multiple cases.

Khan was ousted from power in 2022 through a no-confidence vote led by current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Khan after his ouster had accused the military and his political rival Sharif of ousting him under a U.S. plot, the charges which they denied.

Pakistani Opposition Leader and Nearly 200 Imran Khan Supporters Sentenced Over 2023 Riots

In a major political and judicial development, a Pakistani opposition leader along with nearly 200 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have been sentenced for their role in the 2023 riots that shook the country. The verdict, delivered by special anti-terrorism and district courts, marks a significant moment in Pakistan’s volatile political landscape and raises fresh debates about law, justice, and political freedoms in the country.

Background of the 2023 Riots

The riots broke out in May 2023 after the dramatic arrest of Imran Khan, then-chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, on corruption-related charges. Khan’s sudden detention sparked widespread protests across the country, many of which turned violent.

Key cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi witnessed large-scale demonstrations, during which government buildings, military establishments, and public infrastructure were attacked. The state responded with heavy force, and thousands of PTI workers were detained in the following weeks.

The violence represented one of the most significant challenges to Pakistan’s civil-military relations in recent years, especially as many protesters directly targeted army installations, breaking a long-standing political taboo.

The Sentencing

The recent sentencing of the opposition leader and close to 200 PTI supporters stems from their alleged involvement in orchestrating, leading, or participating in the riots. Charges ranged from arson, vandalism, and incitement to violence, to violations of Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws.

According to official sources:

• The opposition leader was sentenced to multiple years in prison for “inciting violence” and “encouraging attacks on state property.”

• Nearly 200 PTI workers and activists received varying jail terms depending on their roles in the unrest.

• Some were handed shorter sentences for unlawful assembly and rioting, while others faced harsher penalties under anti-terrorism provisions.

The government and judiciary emphasized that the verdict was meant to uphold the rule of law and send a strong message that violence against state institutions cannot be tolerated.

PTI’s Response

Unsurprisingly, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party condemned the ruling, calling it politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to weaken Imran Khan’s influence. Party spokespersons argued that many of those sentenced were peaceful demonstrators exercising their democratic right to protest.

They also claimed that evidence used in trials was selective and exaggerated, pointing to the speed at which cases were pushed through the courts. The PTI has vowed to appeal the verdicts and seek international attention on what it describes as “judicial victimization.”

Wider Political Implications

The verdict comes at a sensitive time for Pakistan, where the balance between civilian politics and military influence remains delicate. The 2023 riots were particularly significant because protesters directly challenged the military’s long-standing authority.

By sentencing hundreds of PTI supporters, the judiciary and state are attempting to reassert control and deter future unrest. However, the move could also deepen political polarization. Imran Khan, despite being jailed and barred from elections, still commands a massive support base, particularly among urban youth and middle-class voters.

Analysts argue that such mass sentencing could further alienate Khan’s followers, fueling narratives of injustice and political suppression. At the same time, the state’s insistence on “law and order” reflects its determination to prevent a repeat of May 2023’s chaos.

International Reactions

The sentencing has also caught the attention of international observers. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly expressed concerns over fair trial standards in Pakistan, especially in cases involving political opponents.

Western governments, while cautious in their statements, have urged Pakistan to ensure that its judicial processes remain transparent and free from political influence. At the same time, they recognize Islamabad’s challenge in maintaining internal stability amid political unrest, economic crises, and security threats.

Looking Ahead

The road ahead for Pakistan remains uncertain. While the sentencing may bring short-term calm by discouraging violent protests, it could also fuel long-term resentment among PTI supporters. Many are likely to view the verdict as further evidence of a state crackdown on dissent.

The real question is whether Pakistan can strike a balance between ensuring accountability for violence and allowing legitimate political expression. If the judiciary is perceived as biased, it risks further eroding public trust.

For Imran Khan and PTI, this episode adds another chapter to their ongoing battle against the state. Khan’s political narrative—framed around resisting “corrupt elites” and “military overreach”—may gain even more traction as his supporters face prison terms.

Conclusion

The sentencing of an opposition leader along with nearly 200 PTI supporters over the 2023 riots marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s political and judicial trajectory. On one hand, it demonstrates the state’s resolve to punish those who resort to violence against institutions. On the other, it raises serious questions about democratic freedoms, fair trials, and political space for opposition voices.

As Pakistan navigates its political future, the fallout from this verdict will likely reverberate for months, if not years. Whether it brings stability or further polarization depends largely on how both the government and opposition choose to move forward.