Former AJK PM Abdul Qayyum Niazi arrested in May 9 case

Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) AJK chapter president, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots, police officials confirmed.

According to police, Niazi was taken into custody from Samahni where he had arrived to address a PTI rally. Mirpur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Liaquat Chaudhry said the arrest was made under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, on the orders of the deputy commissioner.

The case against Niazi is linked to the violent protests that erupted across the country following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case. Protesters allegedly attacked military installations, government buildings, and the Lahore corps commander’s residence. Hundreds of FIRs were filed against PTI leaders and workers in the aftermath.

The arrest comes days after a special anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad handed down 10-year prison sentences to several PTI leaders, including Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Zartaj Gul, in cases related to the same unrest.

The court also convicted 108 individuals in one case registered at Civil Lines Police Station, while acquitting others including Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro. Additional convictions were announced in separate cases filed in Ghulam Muhammadabad and Civil Lines police stations.