- Of 25 sentenced, 14 received 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, 11 handed shorter terms
- Convicts retain right to appeal and other legal recourses under law and Constitution: ISPR
RAWALPINDI: Military courts have sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during nationwide riots on May 9, 2023, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
The ISPR statement revealed that the convicted individuals were involved in attacks on key military sites, including Jinnah House, the General Headquarters (GHQ), and the Pakistan Air Force Base in Mianwali.
Violent protests erupted across the country following the arrest of the former premier Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, from the Islamabad High Court’s premises by paramilitary forces. During the riots that went on for at least 24 hours, military installations were ransacked and vandalised by the rioters.
“Of the 25 sentenced, 14 received the maximum punishment of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, while others were handed shorter terms”, the ISPR added.
The convictions announced today primarily relate to attacks on several key military sites, including Jinnah House, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Mianwali.
In its statement, the ISPR said, “In light of the Supreme Court decision, Field General Court Martial (FGCM) have in first phase promulgated the punishments to following 25 accused; after examining all evidence, affording all legal rights to the accused and completion of due process.”
In this first phase of sentencing, the military courts have handed down punishments ranging from two to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
“All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution,” the ISPR said.
The military described the May 9 incidents as a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history, marked by politically instigated violence and arson.
The ISPR condemned the events as an “unacceptable attempt of political terrorism,” fuelled by a narrative of “hate and lies.” It highlighted the desecration of monuments dedicated to national heroes as part of the orchestrated attacks.
“These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also underscored the necessity of checking this unacceptable attempt of political terrorism to impose a perverted will through violence and coercion,” the statement read.
The military detailed its comprehensive response to the events, conducting meticulous investigations to gather irrefutable evidence against the accused. “Sequel to the events of this ‘Black Day,’ through meticulous investigations, irrefutable evidence was collected to legally prosecute the accused involved in the tragedy,” the ISPR noted.
Some cases were referred to the Field General Court Martial for trials that adhered to established legal frameworks. The convicted individuals include those responsible for attacking high-profile military sites and monuments.
The ISPR called the verdicts an “important milestone” in delivering justice and deterring future acts of violence. It emphasized that these sentences serve as a stark warning against political exploitation and propaganda, urging individuals to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“This is also a reminder to all those exploited by vested interests and their intoxicating lies,” the statement concluded. The sentences mark a significant step toward addressing the aftermath of May 9 and ensuring accountability for actions that threatened Pakistan’s national security and stability.
Details of the Convicted Individuals:
- Jan Muhammad Khan
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Imran Mehboob
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Raja Muhammad Ehsan
- Attack: GHQ
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Rehmatullah
- Attack: Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Anwar Khan
- Attack: PAF Base Mianwali
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Afaq Khan
- Attack: Bannu Cantonment
- Sentence: 9 years imprisonment
- Daud Khan
- Attack: Chakdara Fort
- Sentence: 7 years imprisonment
- Faheem Haider
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 6 years imprisonment
- Zahid Khan
- Attack: Multan Cantonment checkpoint
- Sentence: 4 years imprisonment
- Yasir Nawaz
- Attack: Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan
- Sentence: 2 years imprisonment
- Abdul Hadi
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Ali Shan
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Daud Khan
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Umar Farooq
- Attack: GHQ
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Babar Jamal
- Attack: PAF Base Mianwali
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Hashir Khan
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 6 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Ashiq Khan
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 4 years imprisonment
- Khurram Shehzad
- Attack: Multan Cantonment checkpoint
- Sentence: 3 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Bilawal
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 2 years imprisonment
- Saeed Alam
- Attack: Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan
- Sentence: 2 years imprisonment
- Laiq Ahmad
- Attack: ISI Office Faisalabad
- Sentence: 2 years imprisonment
- Ali Iftikhar
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Zia Ur Rehman
- Attack: Jinnah House
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Adnan Ahmad
- Attack: Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
- Shakir Ullah
- Attack: Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan
- Sentence: 10 years imprisonment
