SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza arrested

Islamabad Police on Friday arrested Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza while he was en route from Peshawar to Faisalabad to surrender himself in connection with a case related to the May 9 riots, according to a statement posted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on its official Facebook page.

PTI added that Hamid’s son, Hassan Raza, confirmed the arrest, saying that his father had intended to file an appeal to halt the election process and challenge his sentence upon surrendering.

The SIC chief was brought before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad, from where he was sent to the Faisalabad central jail, Hamid’s X account mentioned, adding that the ATC decision was expected soon.

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Local media sources said that the SIC chief was wanted in multiple cases involving vandalism and violent protests against state institutions and had already been convicted by an ATC. They added that he was sentenced in connection with the May 9 riots but had been on the run since his conviction.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on August 5 disqualified PTI’s ally Hamid and multiple legislators including Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul following their conviction by an ATC in Faisalabad in the case pertaining to May 9 riots.

In a notification, the election commission had announced since they had been convicted by the ATC, therefore, they were disqualified and de-notified. Hence, the ECP had said, their seats had become vacant.

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Case background

The case against the SIC chief stems from the violent protests that erupted across Pakistan on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court.

In Lahore’s Model Town area, rioters set fire to the office of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), along with attacking and torching military, civilian, and private installations. Widespread damage was reported to public and private property. At least eight people were killed and over 290 injured during the unrest.

Protesters also stormed the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander, commonly referred to as Jinnah House, and vandalised one of the gates of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

In the days that followed, law enforcement agencies across the country launched a large-scale crackdown, arresting more than 1,900 individuals allegedly involved in the violence, arson, and clashes with security personnel. Multiple cases were registered against Imran Khan, senior PTI leaders, and party workers under anti-terrorism and criminal laws.