A court in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, has handed down life sentences to seven individuals, including prominent media figures and retired military officers, for their role in inciting violent unrest in May 2023.
The Verdict and the Accused
On Friday, 2 January 2026, Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra of an anti-terrorism court delivered the verdict following trials held in absentia. None of the convicted individuals were present in court, as they are all believed to be living abroad after leaving Pakistan in recent years.
The seven men sentenced to life imprisonment are:
- Shaheen Sehbai, a former editor
- Journalists Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada
- YouTubers Wajahat Saeed Khan and Haider Raza Mehdi
- Retired army officers Adil Raja and Akbar Hussain
Charges Linked to 2023 Political Unrest
The charges stem from the widespread and violent riots that erupted across Pakistan on 9 May 2023. This unrest was triggered by the arrest of the country's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, on corruption charges. During the protests, thousands of Khan's supporters attacked military installations, set government property alight, ransacked a senior army officer's home, and damaged the state-run Radio Pakistan building.
The prosecution argued that the seven convicted men, all known for their public support of Imran Khan, used their platforms to incite people to violence. Khan had repeatedly blamed his ouster from power in April 2022 on a conspiracy involving the United States and Pakistan's powerful military establishment, allegations denied by all parties.
Reaction and Wider Implications
One of the convicted journalists, Sabir Shakir, spoke to The Associated Press from abroad. He denounced the ruling as "nothing but a political victimisation". Shakir stated he was out of the country during the riots and has since sought political asylum in the UK, fearing what he called "fabricated cases" upon any return to Pakistan.
The court order grants the seven men the right to file an appeal within seven days. It also instructs police to arrest them and transfer them to prison should they ever return to Pakistan.
This case has intensified concerns about shrinking civic freedoms in Pakistan. Human rights defenders and journalist unions argue that freedom of speech is under sustained pressure, with media facing increasing restrictions. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif maintains it supports free speech but insists that journalists and content creators must adhere to ethical standards and not spread hatred against state institutions.
