• Punishments range from two to 10 years in jail
• Convicts retain the right to appeal
• ISPR says due legal process followed during trials
• Hints at upcoming action against ‘masterminds and planners’

ISLAMABAD: Twenty-five activists from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have been sentenced to rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to 10 years by a military court for their involvement in the May 9 riots, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

“In light of the Supreme Court decision, Field General Court Martial have in first phase promulgated the punishments to following 25 accused after examining all evidence, affording all legal rights to the accused and completion of due process,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The military’s media wing described the sentences as a key step towards ensuring accountability and justice in the wake of the unprecedented violence, which it attributed to a “sustained narrative of hate and lies”.

“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 [a] perverted will through violence and coercion,” the ISPR said.

The riots erupted on May 9, 2023, after the brief arrest of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust graft case, triggering nationwide protests. Demonstrators stormed and vandalised military installations, set fire to monuments honouring fallen soldiers and attacked government buildings.

The military has since referred to May 9 as a “Black Day” and vowed to hold accountable all those responsible for it.

“The 9 May tragedy marked a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan,” the ISPR said, describing the events as “politically provoked violence and arson” orchestrated to undermine the state.

The violence resulted in the arrest of hundreds of PTI workers, and 105 cases were referred for trial by military courts.

The decision to try civilians in military courts was met with significant legal challenges. The Supreme Court initially ruled against these trials, but a seven-member constitutional bench established after the 26th constitutional amendment later permitted them.

On Dec 13, the Supreme Court directed that pending cases from the May 9 riots be finalised, allowing judgements to be announced.

In April, ahead of Eidul Fitr, 20 individuals with sentences of less than three years were released following a remission granted by Army Chief Gen Asim Munir. Despite the releases, around 85 suspects remain in military custody.

Right to appeal

The ISPR emphasised that the trials were conducted following due legal process, with all evidence thoroughly examined, and the accused afforded their legal rights. It also highlighted that the convicted individuals retain the right to appeal as guaranteed under the law and Constitution.

In addition to military trials, several PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, are being tried in anti-terrorism courts. The ISPR statement hinted at upcoming actions against individuals described as the “mastermind and planners” of the May 9 violence — a likely reference to Mr Khan and other senior PTI figures.

Former ISI chief Faiz Hameed,

who is currently facing court-martial proceedings, is also being interrogated for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.

“Justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of the May 9 tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land,” the military stated.

The ISPR framed the sentences as a critical milestone in safeguarding the country’s stability and a deterrent against future unrest.

“This is an important milestone in the dispensation of justice to the nation,” it said.

“It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take [the] law into [their] own hands ever in the future.”

The military also blamed the violence on “disruptive and destructive politics based on hate, divisiveness, and baseless propaganda”.

“The state of Pakistan will continue to vigorously pursue dispensation of justice to ensure [the] establishment of [the] inviolable writ of the state,” the ISPR said.

Meanwhile, PTI has dismissed the trials as unconstitutional, alleging they violate fundamental rights.

Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the transparency of proceedings.

Sentences

Jan Muhammad Khan, son of Toor Khan, was sentenced to 10 years for his involvement in the Jinnah House incident. Muhammad Imran Mehboob, son of Mehboob Ahmed, received a 10-year sentence for his role in the same incident.

Raja Muhammad Ehsan, son of Raja Muhammad Maqsood, was given 10 years in jail for participating in the attack on GHQ, while Rehmat Ullah, son of Manjoor Khan, received a similar sentence for his involvement in the Punjab Regimental Centre, Mardan, incident. Anwar Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, was sentenced to 10 years for his role in the attack on PAF Base, Mianwali.

Muhammad Afaq Khan, son of M. Ishfaq Khan, was sentenced to nine years for his involvement in the Bannu Cantt incident, and Daud Khan, son of Ameer Zaib, received a seven-year sentence for the Chakdara Fort incident.

Faheem Haider, son of Farooq Haider, was sentenced to six years for his role in the Jinnah House incident. Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, received a four-year sentence for his involvement in the Multan Cantt Check Post incident, while Yasir Nawaz, son of Ameer Nawaz Khan, was sentenced to two years for his role in the Punjab Regimental Centre.

Abdul Hadi, son of Abdul Qayyum, and Ali Shan, son of Noor Muhammad, both received 10-year sentence each for their involvement in the Jinnah House incident. Daud Khan, son of Shad Khan, was also sentenced to 10 years for his role in the same incident. Umar Farooq, son of Muhammad Sabbir, received a 10-year sentence for participating in the GHQ attack, and Babar Jamal, son of Muhammad Ajmal Khan, was sentenced to 10 years for his involvement in the attack on PAF Base Mianwali.

Muhammad Hashir Khan, son of Tahir Bashir and Muhammad Ashiq Khan, son of Naseeb Khan, received six-year and four-year sentences, respectively, for their roles in the Jinnah House incident.

Khurram Shahzad, son of Liaqat Ali, was sentenced to three years for his involvement in the Multan Cantt Check Post incident. Muhammad Bilawal, son of Manzoor Hussain, and Said Alam, son of Maaz Ullah Khan, each received two-year sentences for their roles in the Jinnah House and Punjab Regimental Centre, Mardan, incidents.

Laeeq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed, received a two-year sentence for his involvement in the ISI Office Faisalabad incident.

Finally, Ali Iftikhar, son of Iftikhar Ahmed, and Ziaur Rehman, son of Azam Khurshid, both received 10-year sentences for their roles in the Jinnah House incident. Adnan Ahmed, son of Sher Muhammad, and Shakir Ullah, son of Anwar Shah, were also sentenced to 10 years each for their involvement in the Punjab Regimental Centre incident.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024