Former Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khalid Khurshid, received a 34-year prison sentence from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gilgit. The court convicted him of threatening security agencies, including the GB chief secretary and chief election commissioner, during a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally on May 26, 2024.
The ATC also imposed a fine of Rs600,000 on Khurshid. The judge directed the Inspector General of Police to arrest him and enforce the court’s orders. Additionally, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) was instructed to block his national identity card, complicating his legal matters further.
The case began after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) at the City Police Station in Gilgit. Despite multiple court summons, Khurshid did not attend any hearings. A court-appointed defense lawyer represented him in the proceedings.
Khurshid served as the GB chief minister from 2020 until his disqualification in July 2023. His disqualification followed a ruling by the GB Chief Court, which determined that he had submitted a fake degree during his nomination. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) later verified that the degree, allegedly issued by the University of London, was fraudulent.
The PTI leader, who joined the party in 2018, had risen to prominence as the divisional president of Diamer-Astore. Over the years, he faced several legal challenges, including accusations related to PTI’s demonstrations in Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
Observers see this verdict as a critical step in ensuring accountability for political leaders. The case underscores the significance of upholding legal standards in Pakistan’s political landscape.
