Military Courts Announce 60 More Verdicts for May 9 Rioters

The military’s media wing on Thursday announced verdicts for 60 more 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 field general court martial had sentenced 60 more criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy in light of the Supreme Court’s conditional order. “The Field General Court Martial examined all the evidence, ensured legal rights for the criminals, and passed sentences in accordance with legal requirements,” it added.

“The trial of May 9 accused under military custody has hereby been concluded under the relevant laws,” it said, noting all convicts had the right to appeal as per the Constitution and rule of law. “The nation, government, and the armed forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained,” it added.

Earlier, announcing the initial batch of 25 sentences, the ISPR had declared the rulings were a “clear message” to all those exploited by a “vested interest group,” apparently referring 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 had 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.

Under law, the convicts would now be shifted to civil jails, with time already served in military custody counting against their sentence. They will now have the option to first appeal their sentences before the Army chief, who has the option to pardon them. They can subsequently also challenge the decision in the high court through a writ petition and then the Supreme Court.

List of May 9, 2023 convicts

1. Hassan Khan Niazi, son of Hafizullah Niazi, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
2. Mian Ibad Farooq, son of Amanat Ali, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his role in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
3. Rais Ahmed, son of Shafiullah, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
4. Arzam Junaid, son of Junaid Razzak, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
5. Ali Raza, son of Ghulam Mustafa, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
6. Raja Danish, son of Raja Abdul Waheed, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
7. Syed Hassan Shah, son of Asif Hussain Shah, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
8. Ali Hussain, son of Khalilur Rehman, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on AIMH Rawalpindi.
9. Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Nabi, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Punjab Regiment Center, Mardan.
10. Sohrab Khan, son of Riaz Khan, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Dir Scouts Headquarters, Timergara.
11. Brig. Javed Akram (ret.), son of Chaudhry Muhammad Akram, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
12. Khurram Liaquat, son of Liaquat Ali Shahid, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Multan Cantt. checkpost.
13. Zakir Hussain, son of Shah Faisal, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Chakdara Fort.
14. Amin Shah, son of Mishtar Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
15. Faheem Sajid, son of Muhammad Khan, sentenced to 8 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on PAF base, Mianwali.
16. Hamza Sharif, son of Muhammad Azam, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Faisalabad ISI office.
17. Muhammad Arsalan, son of Muhammad Siraj, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
18. Muhammad Umair, son of Abdul Sattar, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
19. Noman Shah, son of Mahmood Ahmed Shah, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
20. Ikramullah, son of Khanzada Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
21. Muhammad Ahmed, son of Muhammad Nazir, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujranwala.
22. Pirzada Mian Muhammad Ishaq Bhutta, son of Pirzada Mian Qamaruddin Bhutta, sentenced to 3 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Multan Cantt. checkpost.
23. Muhammad Abdullah, son of Kanwar Ashraf Khan, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
24. Amjad Ali, son of Manzoor Ahmed, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Faisalabad ISI’s office.
25. Muhammad Raheem, son of Naeem Khan, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
26. Ehsanullah Khan, son of Najeebullah Khan, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on PAF Base, Mianwali.
27. Muneeb Ahmed, son of Naveed Ahmed Butt, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujaranwala.
28. Muhammad Ali, son of Muhammad Boota, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the ISI Office, Faisalabad.
29. Samiullah, son of Meer dad Khan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
30. Mian Muhammad Akram Usman, son of Mian Muhammad Usman, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
31. Mudassir Hafiz, son of Hafeezullah, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
32. Sajjad Ahmed, son of Muhammad Iqbal, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
33. Khizar Hayat, son of Umar Qiyaz Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
34. Muhammad Nawaz, son of Abdul Samad, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujaranwala.
35. Muhammad Bilal, son of Muhammad Afzal, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the PAF Base, Mianwali.
36. Muhammad Suleman, son of Said Ghani Jan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Dir Scouts Headquarters, Timergara.
37. Asadullah Durani, son of Badshah Zada, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Dir Scouts Headquarters, Timergara.
38. Ikramullah, son of Shah Zaman, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Chakdara Fort.
39. Muhammad Farrukh, son of Shams Tabriz, sentenced to 5 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the ISI Office, Faisalabad.
40. Waqas Ali, son of Muhammad Ashraf, sentenced to 6 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
41. Ameer Zohaib, son of Nazeer Ahmed Sheikh, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
42. Farhad Khan, son of Shahid Hussain, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on AIMH Rawalpindi.
43. Izzat Khan, son of Awal Khan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Dir Scouts Headquarters, Timergara.
44. Asher Butt, son of Muhammad Arshad Butt, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujaranwala.
45. Saqlain Haider, son of Rafiullah Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
46. Muhammad Salman, son of Zahid Nisar, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the ISI Office, Faisalabad.
47. Hamid Ali, son of Syed Hadi Shah, sentenced to 3 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Multan Cantt. checkpost.
48. Muhammad Waqas, son of Malik Muhammad Khalil, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujaranwala.
49. Izzat Gul, son of Mirdat Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
50. Haider Majeed, son of Muhammad Majeed, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
51. Group Captain Viqas Ahmed Mohsin (ret.), son of Bashir Ahmed Mohsin, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
52. Muhammad Ilyas, son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the Dir Scouts Headquarters, Timergara.
53. Muhammad Ayaz, son of Sahibzada Khan, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Main Gate FC Cantt., Peshawar.
54. Raees Ahmed, son of Khaista Rehman, sentenced to 4 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Chakdara Fort.
55. Gohar Rehman, son of Gul Rehman, sentenced to 7 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Chakdara Fort.
56. Naik Muhammad, son of Nasrullah Jan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
57. Fahad Imran, son of Muhammad Imran Shahid, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on the ISI Office, Faisalabad.
58. Sufayan Idrees, son of Idrees Ahmed, sentenced to 2 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Rahwali Gate, Gujaranwala.
59. Raheemullah, son of Baitullah, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.
60. Khalid Nawaz, son of Hamid Khan, sentenced to 9 years’ rigorous punishment for his involvement in the attack on Bannu Cantt.

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 ISPR announced the verdicts of 25 individuals in the first phase last week. The sentencing of 60 more individuals now suggests all pending sentences have been announced. Following the first round of sentencing, the European Union, United States and United Kingdom had all voiced concerns over the trials of civilians in military courts. The E.U. had noted that the trials were inconsistent with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, entitling every person to a fair and public trial in an independent, impartial and competent court with adequate and effective legal representation. It had hinted that this could hamper the country’s generalized scheme of preferences plus status.

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. Reacting to the latest announcements, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan reiterated his party’s call for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots.