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 (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
2. Muhammad Imran Mehboob (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
3. Raja Muhammad Ehsan (GHQ attack) – 10 years imprisonment
4. Rehmatullah (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
5. Anwar Khan (PAF Base Mianwali attack) – 10 years imprisonment
6. Muhammad Afaq Khan (Bannu Cantonment attack) – 9 years imprisonment
7. Daud Khan (Chakdara Fort attack) – 7 years imprisonment
8. Faheem Haider (Jinnah House attack) – 6 years imprisonment
9. Zahid Khan (Multan Cantonment checkpoint attack) – 4 years imprisonment
10. Yasir Nawaz (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 2 years imprisonment
11. Abdul Hadi (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
12. Ali Shan (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
13. Daud Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
14. Umar Farooq (GHQ attack) – 10 years imprisonment
15. Babar Jamal (PAF Base Mianwali attack) – 10 years imprisonment
16. Muhammad Hashir Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 6 years imprisonment
17. Muhammad Ashiq Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 4 years imprisonment
18. Khurram Shehzad (Multan Cantonment checkpoint attack) – 3 years imprisonment
19. Muhammad Bilawal (Jinnah House attack) – 2 years imprisonment
20. Saeed Alam (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 2 years imprisonment
21. Laiq Ahmad (ISI Office Faisalabad attack) – 2 years imprisonment
22. Ali Iftikhar (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
23. Zia Ur Rehman (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
24. Adnan Ahmad (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
25. Shakir Ullah (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
As per the statement, further sentences will be announced after the completion of legal processes for other individuals involved in the events.
