Military courts on Saturday announced verdicts for 25 individuals involved in the May 9, 2023 riots, declaring them guilty of perpetrating violence and attacking state institutions.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the sentences of the remaining accused would be announced as soon as legal processes were completed. It described the sentencing as a “significant milestone” in the delivery of justice. It further said the rulings were a “clear message” to all those exploited by a “vested interest group,” in an apparent reference to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“These sentences serve as warning to those who fall victim to political propaganda and poisonous lies so they never take the law into their own hands in future,” it said, noting several of the suspects are also facing cases in various Anti-Terrorism Courts. “Full justice will only be delivered when the masterminds and planners of the May 9 [riots] are punished according to the Constitution and law,” it added.
“The state of Pakistan will ensure the integrity of the state by providing complete justice in the events of May 9,” the military’s media wing vowed. “By ensuring justice in the May 9 case, misguided and destructive politics based on violence will be buried,” it said, asserting the rulings rejected hatred, division and baseless propaganda
The ISPR noted that, as per law and the Constitution, all convicted criminals have the right to appeal and other legal remedies. Under law, the convicts would be shifted to civil jails following the announcement of their verdicts, with time already served in military custody counting against their sentence.
List of May 9, 2023 convicts
- Jan Muhammad Khan, son of Toor Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Muhammad Imran Mehboob, son of Mehboob Ahmed, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Raja Muhammad Ehsan, son of Raja Muhammad Maqsood, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
- Rahmatullah, son of Manjoor Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan.
- Anwar Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the PAF Base, Mianwali.
- Muhammad Afaq Khan, son of M. Ashfaq Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Bannu Cantt.
- Daud Khan son of Amir Zeb, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Chakdara Fort.
- Faheem Haider, son of Farooq Haider, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Multan Cantt. checkpost.
- Yasir Nawaz, son of Amir Nawaz Khan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan.
- Abdul Hadi, son of Abdul Qayyum, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Ali Shan, son of Noor Muhammad, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Dawood Khan, son of Shad Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Umar Farooq, son of Muhammad Sabir, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
- Babar Jamal, son of Muhammad Ajmal Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the PAF Base, Mianwali.
- Muhammad Hasher Khan, son of Tahir Bashir, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Muhammad Ashiq Khan, son of Naseeb Khan, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Khurram Shahzad, son of Liaquat Ali, sentenced to 3 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Multan Cantt. checkpost.
- Muhammad Bilawal son of Manzoor Hussain, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Syed Alam, son of Maazullah Khan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan.
- Laiq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the ISI office in Faisalabad.
- Ali Iftikhar, son of Iftikhar Ahmed, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Ziaur Rehman, son of Azam Khurshid, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
- Adnan Ahmed, son of Sher Muhammad, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan.
- Shakirullah, son of Anwar Shah, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for attacking the Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan.
May 9, 2023 Riots
The May 9, 2023 riots pertain to protests triggered by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in a graft case. The riots spanned three days, ending with the release of Khan. Subsequently, the state launched a crackdown against the PTI, arresting thousands of the party’s workers. Over 100 civilians faced military trials for their role in the riots.
In March, the Supreme Court had conditionally allowed military courts to announce reserved verdicts in cases involving 20 civilians who were acquitted or given lesser sentences that could be granted relief by the Army chief. This left 85 pending rulings, which the apex court conditionally allowed military courts to announce sentences for earlier this month.
The PTI maintains that the May 9, 2023 riots were a “false flag” operation against it. It has called for a judicial probe into the events to affix responsibility on those responsible. Several PTI leaders are currently facing trials in civilian courts for their alleged role in the events.