Gilgit:An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gilgit on Tuesday sentenced former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader to 34 years in prison. The court found him guilty of threatening security agencies, the chief secretary, and the chief election commissioner during a PTI rally on May 26, 2024.
Alongside the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs600,000 on the former chief minister. It directed the inspector general of police to arrest him and ensure his immediate transfer to jail. Additionally, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has been instructed to block the ex-CM’s computerized national identity card (CNIC).
Charges Under Anti-Terrorism Act
The case stemmed from a first information report (FIR) registered at Gilgit-Baltistan’s City Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Despite multiple summons, the former chief minister absconded and did not attend the court proceedings.
The PTI leader had a controversial tenure, elected in 2020 but later disqualified by GB’s Chief Court in July 2023 for submitting a fake degree from the University of London. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) verified the degree as counterfeit following an official inquiry. His disqualification under Articles 62 and 63 of Pakistan’s Constitution marked a significant blow to his political career.
Multiple Cases Against Khurshid
The former GB chief minister joined PTI in 2018 and rose to prominence as Diamer-Astore’s divisional president. Recently, he was implicated in several cases linked to PTI’s protests, including those at Islamabad’s D-Chowk in October.
This sentence underscores the judiciary’s stance against misconduct and the misuse of authority. The conviction of a high-ranking politician sends a strong message about accountability in Pakistan’s political landscape.
