ATC sends Hamid Raza to jail to serve 10-year term after his arrest

FAISALABAD/ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad Friday ordered Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza to be sent to jail to serve his 10-year sentence, handed down in connection with the May 9, 2023 violent protests that erupted across country following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest.

Hamid Raza, who was convicted alongside several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders on July 31, was taken into custody earlier in the morning by Islamabad Police while traveling to Faisalabad to surrender voluntarily, according to his brother Sahibzada Hasan Raza.

He was later produced before the ATC, which confirmed that Hamid Raza had been sentenced in the case registered at the Civil Lines Police Station Faisalabad by then-ATC Judge Javed Iqbal Sheikh. The written court order stated that Hamid Raza had received multiple sentences under various charges, with the maximum being 10 years of imprisonment, and directed the superintendent of Faisalabad Central Jail to ensure the sentence was served in accordance with the law. The order added that all sentences would run concurrently, and Hamid Raza would receive the benefit of Section 382-B of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing the period spent in custody to count toward his sentence.

A post from Hamid Raza’s official X account also confirmed his detention, stating that “He was traveling from Peshawar to Faisalabad to surrender voluntarily but was arrested by Islamabad Police on the way.”

PTI leader Umar Ayub condemned the arrest, calling it “an abduction”.

The development came two days after the Peshawar High Court dismissed Hamid Raza’s application for transit bail. Following his conviction, Hamid Raza was disqualified from the National Assembly, and his seat was declared vacant. Speaking to reporters in Faisalabad, his brother Hasan Raza said they plan to approach the court to obtain a stay order against the upcoming by-election on the vacant seat.

Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated on Friday that the SIC leader Hamid Raza was not arrested rather he surrendered himself. He regretted that KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi could not get permission to meet the PTI founder in Adiala Jail.

Meanwhile, the PTI vehemently condemned the arrest of Hamid Raza, describing it as a blatant miscarriage of justice.