pakistani Milltry Court 25 Sentenced in May 9 Riots: ISPR

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced that 25 individuals involved in the May 9 violence have been convicted and sentenced by a Field General Court Martial. The punishments, ranging from 2 to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, follow a comprehensive legal process based on irrefutable evidence.

The events of May 9, 2023, stand as a grim reminder of politically incited violence. According to ISPR, rioters, driven by a campaign of hatred and misinformation, targeted sensitive military installations, including Jinnah House and martyrs’ memorials. These attacks shocked the nation and left an indelible stain on Pakistan’s history.

Sentencing Breakdown

Sentences of 10 Years Rigorous Imprisonment

• Jinnah House Attack:
  • Jan Muhammad Khan, son of Tor Khan
  • Muhammad Imran Mehboob, son of Mehboob Ahmed
  • Ali Shan, son of Noor Muhammad
  • Abdul Hadi, son of Abdul Qayyum
  • Daud Khan, son of Shad Khan
  • Ali Iftikhar, son of Iftikhar Ahmed
  • Zia-ur-Rehman, son of Azam Khurshid
• GHQ Attack:
  • Raja Muhammad Ehsan, son of Raja Muhammad Maqsood
  • Umar Farooq, son of Muhammad Sabir
• Punjab Regimental Center Mardan Attack:
  • Rehmatullah, son of Manjoor Khan
  • Adnan Ahmed, son of Sher Muhammad
  • Shakirullah, son of Anwar Shah
• PAF Base Mianwali Attack:
  • Anwar Khan, son of Muhammad Khan
  • Babar Jamal, son of Muhammad Ajmal Khan

Sentences of 7-9 Years Rigorous Imprisonment

• Bannu Cantonment Attack:
  • Muhammad Afaq Khan, son of M. Ashfaq Khan (9 years)
• Chakdara Fort Attack:
  • Daud Khan, son of Amir Zeb (7 years)

Sentences of 2-6 Years Rigorous Imprisonment

• Jinnah House Attack:
  • Faheem Haider, son of Farooq Haider (6 years)
  • Muhammad Hashir Khan, son of Tahir Bashir (6 years)
  • Muhammad Ashiq Khan, son of Naseeb Khan (4 years)
  • Muhammad Bilawal, son of Manzoor Hussain (2 years)
• Multan Cantonment Check Post Attack:
  • Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Khan (4 years)
  • Khurram Shehzad, son of Liaquat Ali (3 years)
• Punjab Regimental Center Mardan Attack:
  • Yasir Nawaz, son of Amir Nawaz Khan (2 years)
  • Saeed Alam, son of Muazullah Khan (2 years)
• ISI Office Faisalabad Attack:
  • Laiq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed (2 years)

The trials were conducted under strict legal scrutiny, ensuring due process at every stage. ISPR emphasized that the convicted individuals were provided full legal rights, including the opportunity to appeal. The verdicts align with the Supreme Court’s directive to expedite pending cases.

The convictions are seen as a critical milestone in delivering justice and deterring future violence. ISPR described the rulings as a message to those attempting to exploit political unrest for personal or ideological gains, reaffirming that such actions will not be tolerated.

ISPR assured the public that investigations are ongoing to bring the masterminds and planners of the May 9 riots to justice. It further noted that several related cases are still being heard in anti-terrorism courts.

The statement concluded with a call for collective responsibility to prevent such incidents in the future. ISPR underscored the state’s commitment to justice, ensuring peace, and countering divisive narratives that threaten national harmony.