"Qayyum Niazi, president of PTI in AJK, apprehended for his involvement in the May 9 riots"
In a significant turn of events, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, the former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and current Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) AJK President, was arrested on August 3, 2025. The arrest was made under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act, 1960, in connection with the riots that took place on May 9, 2023 [1][2][3][4].
The May 2023 riots were a nationwide response by PTI supporters, following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The protests reportedly led to vandalism of military installations, state-owned buildings, and attacks on the Lahore corps commander’s residence. Hundreds of cases were registered against PTI leaders and workers after these events [3][4].
Several PTI members were detained, with some released on bail, while others remain imprisoned. Imran Khan, whose arrest triggered the protests, has been behind bars since August 2023, facing multiple charges, including corruption and terrorism [3][4]. The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the same case.
In the May 9 case, a special anti-terrorism court sentenced a total of 108 individuals out of 185 accused. Fawad Chaudhry, Zain Qureshi, and Khayal Kastro were acquitted in the first case registered at the Civil Lines Police Station. In the second case registered at the same station, 28 out of 32 accused were sentenced, and four individuals were acquitted [5].
In another case related to the May 9 violence, registered at Ghulam Muhammadabad Police Station, 60 individuals were sentenced, and seven of the 67 accused were acquitted. The National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and others were sentenced to 10 years in prison each by a special anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad in connection with the case [6].
Arrest warrants for Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi also include a case registered in Islamabad related to a November 26, 2024 protest, showing his involvement in multiple legal matters beyond the May 9 riots [1]. Junaid Afzal Sahi was also sentenced to a three-year jail term in a related case [3][4].
This arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the May 2023 riots and the subsequent unrest. The public awaits further updates on the cases and the involvement of other PTI leaders in these events.
References: 1. [URL of source 1] 2. [URL of source 2] 3. [URL of source 3] 4. [URL of source 4] 5. [URL of source 5] 6. [URL of source 6]
- The national political landscape in Pakistan was rocked on August 3, 2025, when Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, the PTI AJK President, was arrested in connection with the world-shaking May 9, 2023 riots.
- It was a national response by PTI supporters due to the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, resulting in war-and-conflicts, with vandalism of military installations and attacks on general-news figures reported.
- The May 9 riots led to the arrest of many PTI leaders, including Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, and the registering of hundreds of cases related to crime-and-justice.
- Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi's arrest is not limited to the May 9 riots, as he also faces charges in a case related to a November 26, 2024 protest.
- The public continues to follow updates on these politically sensitive cases and the role of other PTI leaders in the war-and-conflicts related to May 2023.
