An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday awarded multiple life sentences to several individuals, including Adil Raja and Moeed Pirzada, in a high-profile case related to what authorities described as “digital terrorism” linked to the May 9 attacks on state institutions.
Read More: Omar Ayub, Zartaj, Shibli sentenced to 10 years over May 9 violence
The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Justice Tahir Abbas Supra, who found the accused guilty of using digital platforms to incite violence, spread unrest and encourage attacks on sensitive state installations during the events of May 9. The court ruled that the offences fell squarely under the ambit of anti-terrorism legislation.
An ATC in Islamabad awarded multiple life sentences to Adil Raja, Haider Mehdi, Akbar Hussain, journalists Wajahat Saeed, Shaheen Sehbai, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada in cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots for “digital terrorism against state institutions”. pic.twitter.com/QPMSiKrDUz
— News PMC (@newspmc_pk) January 2, 2026
ڈیجیٹل دہشتگردی
اسلام آباد کی عدالت نے 9 مئی کیسز میں عادل راجہ، معید پیرزادہ،صابر شاکر، وجاہت سعید، حیدر مہدی، شاہین صہبائی کو عمر قید کی سزا سنادی pic.twitter.com/0MEl6359IK— Muhammad Umair (@MohUmair87) January 2, 2026
According to the judgment, Adil Raja, Haider Mehdi and Wajahat Saeed were each sentenced to two consecutive life terms. Similarly, Sabir Shakir and Moeed Pirzada were also handed two consecutive life sentences each for their roles in the case.
In addition to the life imprisonment terms, the court imposed a cumulative sentence of 35 years’ imprisonment under other charges. Each of the convicts was also fined Rs1.5 million, as part of the penalties announced by the court.
The prosecution told the court that a total of 24 witnesses were produced during the trial to substantiate the charges. In cases registered at Aabpara Police Station, Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada and Syed Akbar Hussain were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Meanwhile, in a separate case registered at Ramna Police Station, Shahin Sahbai, Haider Mehdi and Wajahat Saeed were found guilty.
Read More: Court rejects Dr. Yasmin Rashid’s bail pleas in May 9 cases
The trial was conducted in absentia, as allowed under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws. The court observed that the absence of the accused did not impede the delivery of justice in cases involving terrorism-related offences.
Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani represented the prosecution, while Gulfam Ashraf Goraya, appointed by the court as defence counsel, appeared on behalf of the accused. The court emphasised that anti-terrorism legislation permits proceedings to continue even when the accused fail to appear before the court.