2–10 Year Jail Terms Announced for 25 Civilians Involved in May 9 Riots

APP

Rawalpindi:Twenty-five civilians involved in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide May 9, 2023, riots have been sentenced to 2–10 years in prison by military courts.

On December 13, the Supreme Court’s seven-member constitutional bench allowed military courts to announce decisions concerning civilians in custody related to the May 9 incidents, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued Saturday.

The sentences were handed down after thorough investigations, evaluation of evidence, and adherence to all legal procedures. The convicted individuals were afforded full legal rights to ensure justice, the statement emphasized.

Politically Provoked Violence and Arson
The press release highlighted the events of May 9, calling it a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history, marked by politically incited violence and arson. Armed forces’ installations, including monuments dedicated to martyrs, were targeted in orchestrated attacks stemming from a narrative of hate and misinformation.

“These acts of political terrorism aimed to impose a perverted will through violence and coercion,” the ISPR stated, adding that such actions underscored the urgent need to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Investigations and Sentences
Following the riots, extensive investigations were conducted, gathering irrefutable evidence against the perpetrators. Certain cases were referred to Field General Court Martial (FGCM) “as per law,” with the remaining verdicts to be announced upon completion of due process.

The ISPR noted that justice would only be complete once the masterminds and planners of the May 9 riots were punished under the Constitution and the law.

Ten-year sentences were issued to 14 individuals, most of whom were involved in the Jinnah House incident. Other attacks targeted the General Headquarters (GHQ), PAF Base Mianwali, Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan, and various military installations.

List of Convicted Individuals
The following 25 individuals have been sentenced:

1. Jan Muhammad Khan S/O Toor Khan – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
2. Muhammad Imran Mehboob S/O Mehboob Ahmed – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
3. Raja Muhammad Ehsan S/O Raja Muhammad Maqsood – GHQ attack (10 years)
4. Rehmat Ullah S/O Manjoor Khan – Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan (10 years)
5. Ali Iftikhar S/O Iftikhar Ahmed – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
6. Zia ur Rehman S/O Azam Khursheed – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
7. Adnan Ahmed S/O Sher Muhammad – Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan (10 years)
8. Shakir Ullah S/O Anwar Shah – Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan (10 years)
9. Anwar Khan S/O Muhammad Khan – PAF Base Mianwali (10 years)
10. Abdul Hadi S/O Abdul Qayyum – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
11. Ali Shan S/O Noor Muhammad – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
12. Daud Khan S/O Shad Khan – Jinnah House incident (10 years)
13. Umar Farooq S/O Muhammad Sabir – GHQ attack (10 years)
14. Babar Jamal S/O Muhammad Ajmal Khan – PAF Base Mianwali (10 years)
15. Muhammad Afaq Khan S/O M. Ashfaq Khan – Bannu Cantt incident (9 years)
16. Daud Khan S/O Amir Zeb – Chakdara Fort incident (7 years)
17. Faheem Haider S/O Farooq Haider – Multan Cantt Check Post (6 years)
18. Muhammad Hashir Khan S/O Tahir Bashir – Jinnah House incident (6 years)
19. Zahid Khan S/O Muhammad Khan – Multan Cantt Check Post (4 years)
20. Muhammad Ashiq Khan S/O Naseeb Khan – Jinnah House incident (4 years)
21. Khurram Shahzad S/O Liaquat Ali – Multan Cantt Check Post (3 years)
22. Muhammad Bilawal S/O Manzoor Hussain – Jinnah House incident (2 years)
23. Said Alam S/O Maaz Ullah Khan – Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan (2 years)
24. Laeeq Ahmed S/O Manzoor Ahmed – ISI Office Faisalabad (2 years)
25. Yasir Nawaz S/O Amir Nawaz Khan – Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan (2 years)

Additional suspects are being tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts, and their sentences will be announced following legal procedures. The ISPR reiterated that the verdict serves as a stern warning against being exploited by vested interests and engaging in political propaganda.