ISLAMABAD: Controversial YouTuber Adil Raja and other anti-government TV anchors have been awarded lifetime imprisonment today.
The court awarded multiple life sentences to Adil Raja, Haider Mehdi, Wajahat Saeed, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada for “committing digital terrorism” in a case related to the May 9, 2023 riots.
The verdict, announced by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, relates to a case registered at the Aabpara Police Station against Syed Akbar Hussain and journalists Shakir and Pirzada.
The anti-terrorism announced its reserved verdict today. Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced sentences for the anti-government and pro-PTI YouTubers.
Earlier,
Islamabad police have booked prominent anchorpersons Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada and Syed Akbar Hussain on charges of terrorism and sedition, accusing them of inciting people to rebel against the state. According to ARY News, authorities registered the case on Wednesday at the Abpara police station, marking a significant development in the government’s widening crackdown.
According to the first information report, the three journalists currently reside abroad and allegedly used video messages on social media to provoke unrest in Pakistan. The FIR stated that the accused incited the public against defence institutions and attempted to create anarchy through coordinated online messaging. Furthermore, investigators alleged that their actions served the interests of foreign hostile agencies.
The registration of the case follows the federal government’s decision last week to expand the probe into the May 9 violence to include overseas Pakistanis. As part of this effort, the Federal Investigation Agency decided to place several individuals living abroad on the Exit Control List for allegedly committing offences and sharing seditious content online.
The May 9 events unfolded after the arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court. Soon after the arrest, violent protests erupted across the country, spreading from major cities to remote areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the federal capital.
During the unrest, protesters targeted key state installations, prompting the authorities to summon the armed forces to help maintain law and order. In Lahore, PTI supporters attacked army installations and the Corps Commander’s residence. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi sustained serious injuries while security forces attempted to disperse protesters and restore calm.
Officials say the latest cases reflect the state’s resolve to pursue those it believes played a role in fuelling violence and instability. Consequently, the investigation is expected to expand further as authorities scrutinise online content and overseas networks linked to the unrest.
This is a developing story, it will be updated further
