Rawalpindi (Web Desk): The military courts have convicted 25 civilians to prison terms for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during nationwide unrest on May 2023, the military’s media wing statem on Saturday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), these individuals were convicted for their roles in attacking several key military sites, including Jinnah House, the General Headquarters (GHQ), and the Pakistan Air Force Base in Mianwali.
The Field General Court Martial (FGCM), after reviewing the evidence thoroughly and following the appropriate legal procedures, sentenced these individuals in what is described as the first phase of the trials.
Of those convicted, 14 received rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, while the remaining individuals were given shorter sentences.
The statement added that the process of announcing sentences for those still facing charges in connection with the violent events of May 9, 2023, is ongoing and will be made public once the due legal procedures are concluded.
"All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution, " the military's media wing said.
Initially, the military trials were put on hold following a ruling by the Supreme Court. However, a constitutional bench of the court, last week, directed that cases which had been delayed due to the earlier ruling should now be finalized, with judgements to be delivered for those found guilty of participating in the violent incidents.
The ISPR described the May 9 events as a tragic chapter in Pakistan's history, explaining that the nation witnessed "tragic incidents of politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan."
It emphasized that the attacks, fueled by a sustained campaign of hate and misinformation, targeted critical military installations, including the desecration of monuments dedicated to the country's martyrs.
The military's media wing noted that these acts were part of a politically motivated campaign designed to foster division and violence.
"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 own perverted will through violence and coercion," the statement said.
After these violent acts, a thorough investigation was conducted, leading to the collection of irrefutable evidence for the legal prosecution of those involved. Certain cases were then referred to a Field General Court Martial, in accordance with the law, where the accused underwent trials. the ISPR said.
The 25 individuals convicted by the courts include:
1. Jan Muhammad Khan s/o Toor Khan, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
2. Muhammad Imran Mehboob s/o Mehboob Ahmed, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
3. Raja Muhammad Ehsan s/o Raja Muhammad Maqsood, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in GHQ attack incident.
4. Rehmat Ullah s/o Manjoor Khan, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident.
5. Anwar Khan s/o Muhammad Khan, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident.
6. Muhammad Afaq Khan s/o M Ishfaq Khan, 9 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
7. Daud Khan s/o Ameer Zaib, 7 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Chakdara Fort incident.
8. Faheem Haider s/o Farooq Haider, 6 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
9. Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Khan, 4 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Multan Cantt Check Post incident.
10. Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan, 2 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident.
11. Abdul Hadi s/o Abdul Qayyum, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
12. Ali Shan s/o Noor Muhammad, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
13. Daud Khan s/o Shad Khan, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
14. Umar Farooq s/o Muhammad Sabbir, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in GHQ attack incident.
15. Babar Jamal s/o Muhammad Ajmal Khan, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident.
16. Muhammad Hashir Khan s/o Tahir Bashir, 6 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
17. Muhammad Ashiq Khan s/o Naseeb Khan, 4 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
18. Khuram Shahzad s/o Liaqat Ali, 3 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Multan Cantt Check Post incident.
19. Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain, 2 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
20. Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan, 2 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident.
21. Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed, 2 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
22. Ali Iftikhar s/o Iftikhar Ahmed, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
23. Zia ur Rehman s/o Azam Khurshid, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
24. Adnan Ahmed s/o Sher Muhammad, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident.
25. Shakir Ullah s/o Anwar Shah, 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident.
As per the statement, further sentences will be announced after the completion of legal processes for other individuals involved in the events.
The military’s media wing further said that this is an important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation. It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by the vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take law in own hands ever in the future.
“Many accused are also being tried in various Anti Terrorist Courts and their cases are being pursued as per the law, however, justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of 9th May Tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land. State of Pakistan will continue to vigoursly pursue dispensation of justice to ensure establishment of inviolable writ of the State, so as to uproot this evil of violence driven disruptive and destructive politics based on hate, divisiveness and baseless propaganda,” the ISPR said.
