RAWALPINDI:
Up to 25 civilians involved in violent attacks on military installations during the national unrest on May 9, 2023 were sentenced on Saturday to between two and ten years in prison by military courts.
On December 13, the seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court allowed military courts to announce the decision of civilians in custody in connection with the May 9 incidents, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. after the verdict.
The sentences have been pronounced after an exhaustive investigation of all the evidence and compliance with all legal procedures. The convicts have also been given full legal rights to comply with the legal requirements, he further stated.
“On May 9, the nation witnessed violence and politically arson at multiple locations, marking a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history,” the army’s media wing said. “Based on a sustained narrative of hate and lies, politically orchestrated attacks against armed forces facilities were carried out, including the desecration of Shuhada monuments,” he added.
“These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also underlined the need to stop this unacceptable attempt by political terrorism to impose its own perverted will through violence and coercion,” ISPR added.
After this black day, all evidence and facts were thoroughly investigated in addition to gathering irrefutable evidence against the perpetrators. Some selected cases were also referred to the General Field Martial Court “according to law.”
“Promulgation of sentences for the remaining defendants is also underway and will be announced shortly when due process is complete,” the military statement said. “The verdict is an important milestone in the delivery of justice.”
The sentences are also a clear message to those who “are exploited by vested interests and are victims of their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never again take justice into their own hands,” the statement added.
“Some additional suspects are being tried in various anti-terrorism courts,” he said. However, he emphasized that “justice will truly be served once the masterminds and planners of the May 9 riots are punished according to the Constitution and the laws of the country,” he added.
Ten-year sentences were imposed on 14 of the 25 people convicted, most of whom were connected to the Jinnah House incident. Other attacks involved Headquarters, PAF Base Mianwali, Punjab Regiment Mardan Center and several military installations across the country.
Sentences were imposed on the following 25 people: Jan Muhammad Khan, s/o Toor Khan, involved in the 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 the incident of the attack on the Headquarters (10 years); Rehmat Ullah s/o Manjoor Khan – involved in Punjab Regimental Center 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 Center Mardan incident (10 years); Shakir Ullah s/o Anwar Shah – involved in Punjab Regimental Center Mardan incident (10 years); Anwar Khan, s/o Muhammad Khan, involved in the PAF Mianwali base 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 the Jinnah House incident (10 years); Umar Farooq s/o Muhammad Sabir – involved in the incident of the attack on the Headquarters (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 (age nine); Daud Khan, son of Amir Zeb, involved in the 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 Center Mardan incident (two years); Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed – involved in the ISI office incident in Faisalabad (two years); Yasir Nawaz s/o Amir Nawaz Khan – involved in Punjab Regimental Center Mardan incident (two years).
confessional statements
Those convicted in the May 9 cases confessed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s anti-state speeches, along with provocative statements by party leaders, influenced them to resort to violent action.
In his confessional statement, Jan Muhammad Khan admitted to recording a video in which he was wearing a military uniform T-shirt before setting it on fire. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for his role in the attack on Jinnah House.
Similarly, Shan Ali was sentenced to 10 years in prison. “Imran Khan’s anti-army speeches made me think. After Imran Khan’s arrest, I attacked Jinnah House on provocation by PTI leaders. I vandalized Jinnah House,” Shan confessed.
Babar Jamal Khan, a PTI worker, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. In his confessional statement, Babar admitted that he was involved in the Minawali base attack, adding: “I confess my crime.”
Similarly, Daud Khan, who was also sentenced to 10 years in jail, 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,” Daud Khan admitted.
Another PTI worker, Muhammad Hashir, was sentenced to 6 years of rigorous imprisonment. In his confessional statement, Hashir admitted: “I attacked Jinnah House on May 9, made videos and incited others under the pretext of revolution.” He further said that PTI leader Yasmin Rashid was the mastermind of the Jinnah House attack.
Fahim Haider was sentenced to six years in prison. He confessed that the PTI leadership had prepared his mind for the Jinnah House attack.
Muhammad Ashiq Khan was sentenced to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment. In his confessional statement, Ashiq admitted that PTI leaders incited them to attack Jinnah House. “I entered Jinnah House and recorded videos along with the accessories of the house. We trained at Zaman Park for an attack on the army,” he added.
Another convict, Muhammad Bilawal, who was sentenced to two years in prison, admitted in his confession that he had attacked and vandalized Jinnah’s house at the incitement of the PTI leaders. “The speeches of PTI leaders, including Yasmin Rashid, made me decide to take an extreme step,” Bilawal admitted.
