Gilgit-Baltistan's Former CM Khurshid Sentenced to 34 Years in Prison for Threats to Security Institutions

In a significant ruling, an anti-terrorism court in Gilgit has sentenced former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid to 34 years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs600,000 for threatening state security institutions during a rally in July 2023. The court found Khurshid, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, guilty of issuing threats to the chief secretary and chief election commissioner.

This verdict marks a significant turn of events in the case against Khurshid, who had been accused of using derogatory language against state institutions during a PTI rally. The charges against him were filed under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Anti-Terrorism Act. Khurshid had failed to appear in court despite multiple notices, prompting the authorities to order his arrest and block his national identity card through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

This is the second high-profile conviction for Khalid Khurshid in recent times. He was earlier disqualified as the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan by the Chief Court in July 2023 for holding a fake degree. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) had declared the degree as fake, and the PTI leader was also booked in multiple cases related to the party's protest at Islamabad's D-Chowk in October. The court's ruling is seen as a stern message against those who resort to intimidation and intimidation tactics against state institutions.

The court's decision is widely seen as a significant move towards restoring the rule of law in Gilgit-Baltistan and sends a strong message to those who seek to undermine the authority of state institutions. The case highlights the importance of ensuring accountability and upholding the law, even for influential individuals.

The ruling is likely to have significant implications for the PTI and its leadership in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as for the broader politics of the region. As the authorities move to implement the sentence, it remains to be seen how Khurshid's conviction will impact the party's fortunes in the region.