Military courts sentence 25 civilians for May 9 riots

2-10 years prison term given after thorough probe, ISPR says convicts provided all legal rights

RAWALPINDI:

As many as 25 civilians involved in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide May 9, 2023 riots were sentenced two to 10 years in prison by military courts on Saturday.

On December 13, the seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court allowed military courts to announce the decision of under custody civilians pertaining to the May 9 incidents, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement following the verdict.

The sentences have been pronounced after a complete investigation of all evidence and fulfilling all legal procedures. The convicted persons have also been provided complete legal rights to fulfill the legal requirements, it further stated.

"On May 9, the nation witnessed politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan," the military's media wing said. "Building on a sustained narrative of hate and lies, politically orchestrated attacks were carried out on the installations of the armed forces, including desecration of the monuments of Shuhada," it added.

"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," ISPR added.

After this black day, all evidence and events were thoroughly investigated besides gathering irrefutable evidence against the perpetrators. Some select cases were also referred to Field General Court Martial "as per law."

"Promulgation of the sentences of remaining accused is also being done and will be announced shortly as and when the due process is complete," the military statement said. "The verdict is an important milestone in the dispensation of justice."

The sentences are also a clear message to 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," the statement added.

"Some additional suspects are being tried in various Anti-Terrorist Courts," it said. However, it emphasised that "justice would truly be served once the mastermind and planners of the May 9 riots are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land," it added.

Ten-year sentences were handed down to 14 of the 25 persons convicted, with the majority linked to the Jinnah House incident. Other attacks involved the GHQ, PAF Base Mianwali, Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan, and various military installations across the country.

The following 25 people were handed down the sentences: Jan Muhammad Khan s/o Toor Khan— involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Muhammad Imran Mehboob s/o Mehboob Ahmed - involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Raja Muhammad Ehsan s/o Raja Muhammad Maqsood - involved in GHQ attack incident (10 years); Rehmat Ullah s/o Manjoor Khan - involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years); Ali Iftikhar s/o Iftikhar Ahmed - involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Zia ur Rehman s/o Azam Khursheed - involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Adnan Ahmed s/o Sher Muhammad - involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years); Shakir Ullah s/o Anwar Shah - involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years); Anwar Khan s/o Muhammad Khan— involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident (10 years); Abdul Hadi s/o Abdul Qayyum— involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Ali Shan s/o Noor Muhammad - involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Daud Khan s/o Shad Khan— involved in Jinnah House incident (10 years); Umar Farooq s/o Muhammad Sabir - involved in GHQ attack incident (10 years); Babar Jamal s/o Muhammad Ajmal Khan - involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident (10 years); Muhammad Afaq Khan s/o M Ashfaq Khan - involved in Bannu Cantt incident (nine years); Daud Khan s/o Amir Zeb— involved in Chakdara Fort incident (seven years); Faheem Haider s/o Farooq Haider - involved in Multan Cantt Check Post incident (six years); Muhammad Hashir Khan s/o Tahir Bashir - involved in Jinnah House incident (six years); Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Khan— involved in Multan Cantt Check Post incident (four years); Muhammad Ashiq Khan s/o Naseeb Khan - involved in Jinnah House incident (four years); Khuram Shahzad s/o Liaquat Ali - involved in Multan Cantt Check Post incident (three years); Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain - involved in Jinnah House incident (two years); Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan - involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (two years); Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed - involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident (two years); Yasir Nawaz s/o Amir Nawaz Khan - involved in Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (two years).

Confessional statements

The convicts in the May 9 cases confessed that the anti-state speeches of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with the provocative statements of party leaders, influenced them to resort to violent actions.

In his confessional statement, Jan Muhammad Khan admitted to making a video in which he wore a military uniform shirt before setting it on fire. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for his involvement in the Jinnah House attack.

Similarly, Shan Ali was sentenced to 10-year term. "Imran Khan's anti-army speeches made my mind. After the arrest of Imran Khan, I attacked on Jinnah House on the provocation of PTI leaders. I vandalised Jinnah House," Shan confessed.

PTI worker Babar Jamal Khan was given 10-year imprisonment. In his confessional statement, Babar admitted that he was involved in Minawali Base attack, adding, "I confess my crime".

Likewise, Daud Khan, who was also sentenced to 10-year jail term, confessed that he had attacked Jinnah House after PTI leaders Yasmeen Rashid and Hassan Niazi incited the workers. "Our minds were filled with hatred against the army. I confess my crime," admitted Daud Khan.

Another PTI worker Muhammad Hashir was handed 6-year rigorous imprisonment. In his confessional statement, Hashir admitted, "I attacked Jinnah House on May 9, made videos and incited others on the pretext of revolution". He further said that PTI leader Yasmin Rashid was the mastermind of Jinnah House attack.

Fahim Haider was sentenced to 6-year imprisonment. He confessed that the PTI leadership had paved his mind for the attack on Jinnah House.

Muhammad Ashiq Khan was awarded 4-year rigorous imprisonment. In his confessional statement, Ashiq admitted that they were incited to attack Jinnah House by the PTI leadership. "I entered Jinnah House and shot videos along with the accessories of the house. We got training in the Zaman Park for an attack against the army," he added.

Another convict Muhammad Bilawal, who was sentenced to 2-year imprisonment, admitted in his confessional statement that he had attacked and vandalised Jinnah house over the incitement of the PTI leadership. "The speeches of PTI leaders, including Yasmin Rashid, made my mind to take the extreme step," Bilawal admitted.