19 May 9 convicts granted mercy

Remission granted on humanitarian grounds 67 convicts filed mercy petitions ISPR says remaining cases will be de

RAWALPINDI:

The mercy petitions of 19 convicted persons involved in May 9, 2023 riots have been accepted on humanitarian grounds, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Thursday.

"Sequel to the promulgation of punishments to 9th May tragedy convicts, they have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy/remission in their punishments," the ISPR added.

"A total of 67 convicts have given their mercy petitions. 48 petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal while, petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted purely on humanitarian grounds, in accordance with law. Mercy petitions of remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process," it said.

Those whose punishment has been remitted are: 1) Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan; 2) Sami Ullah s/o Meer dad Khan; 3) Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed: 4) Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed; 5) Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan; 6) Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan; 7) Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi; 8) Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan; 9) Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam; 10) Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar; 11) Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt, 12) Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil; 13) Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed; 14) Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt; 15) Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir; 16) Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad; 17) Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota; 18) Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain; 19) Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem.

They all shall be released after completion of procedural formalities.

All those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the constitution, it further said.

"The remission of punishments is a testament to the strength of the due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is served while also taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy," the statement added.

Earlier in April 2024, release of 20 convicts was also carried out on humanitarian grounds in accordance with the law.

The development came less than a month after military courts sentenced a total of 85 civilians involved in the May 9 riots of 2023. On December 21 last year, military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years over the May 9 events. A week later, another 60 civilians were handed jail terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in the nationwide riots.

Barrister Gohar reaction

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, in response to a question regarding the development, termed the decision by the military as "not a development".

"PTI's position has not changed," he said while speaking to reporters today.

"No civilian should be tried in military court. It remains unconstitutional and the matter will be decided by the Supreme Court."

While calling the remission a "good thing", Gohar said, "There should not be a conviction stigma by the military courts. This should be a civilian court."

The riots

On May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted across the country following the brief arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. At least 10 people lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries, while approximately 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged.

These included the Lahore Corps Commander's House (Jinnah House) and Askari Tower in Lahore, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar, Toll Plaza at Swat Motorway and the PAF Base Mianwali.

In total, 62 outbreaks of violence were documented, inflicting a loss of Rs2.5 billion on the country, of which, according to the state, Rs1.98bn in losses were suffered by the army. The military says the events were a coordinated attack by the PTI leadership.