The verdict, delivered by ATC Judge Arshad Javed at Kot Lakhpat Jail, also concluded proceedings in the Gulberg police vehicle arson case.

Twenty accused were convicted in that case, while five others — Sajawal Nadeem, Zaman Qadri, Shehroz, Muhammad Kabir, and Aliya Hassan — were acquitted.

The Kalma Chowk case involved 37 accused, and the Gulberg case had 33 accused.

Police had submitted challans against 36 suspects from Nasirabad police station, while 12 others, including Mian Aslam Iqbal, were declared absconders.

The May 9 incidents, which followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court, included the torching of police vehicles in Gulberg and the burning of a container at Kalma Chowk, drawing nationwide condemnation.

Dr Rashid’s lawyer, Rana Mudassir Umar, told reporters that the hearings were initially scheduled for routine proceedings, but the leaders were not given a full opportunity to present their defence.

He said that sentences were handed down again in the middle of the night, and that PTI leaders have now received over 200 years of combined prison terms in various May 9 cases.

Umar added that the party plans to challenge the sentences in higher courts.