Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Friday sentenced eight journalists and social media critics to life imprisonment for their involvement in protests in support of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The eight people were convicted of terrorism-related charges and

sentenced in absentia.

Those convicted and sentenced include three journalists, Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir and Shaheen Sehbai; former army officers turned YouTubers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain; a public commentator, Haider Raza Mehdi, and publicly affairs analyst, Moeed Pirzada.

Their convictions came against the backdrop of violent protests on May 9, 2023, that saw Mr Khan’s supporters attack military installations after his arrest.

Pakistan authorities have clamped down on Mr Khan’s party and critics, using anti-terrorism laws to prosecute hundreds of his supporters.

In its ruling, the Pakistani anti-terrorism court declared that the actions of the accused “fell within the ambit of terrorism” under Pakistani law, adding that their campaign and online activities instilled “fear and unrest” in the country.

Before now, in 2023, when Pakistani authorities started the trial of the convicted and sentenced journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said, “Pakistan authorities must cease harassing foreign-based journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada and allow them to work freely.”

Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator, said, “Authorities must immediately drop these investigations and cease the relentless intimidation and censorship of the media.”

He added, “It is unconscionable that foreign-based Pakistani journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Shaheen Sehbai, Sabir Shakir, and Moeed Pirzada face potential death sentences under terrorism investigations in retaliation for their critical reporting and commentary.”