Military courts sentence 25 perpetrators in May 9 cases

RAWALPINDI: The highly awaited trials of the accused in May 9 arson attacks helmed by the military courts have sentenced 25 perpetrators for their involvement violence, according to the ISPR. The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench had earlier conditionally allowed military courts to hand the reserved verdicts of 85 civilians who were still in custody for their role in the violence.

In May 2023, following the arrest of former premier Imran Khan, the nation had witnessed incidents of politically motivated incitement, violence, and arson. In the first phase, the field general court-martial has sentenced 25 accused.

It was said that the verdict in the May 9 case is a significant milestone in delivering justice to the nation, and send a clear message to all those who fall prey to the exploitation of a few self-interested individuals.

It was said that the organised attacks were carried out on military installations, including memorials to martyrs on a pre-planned political narrative founded on hatred and falsehood. Dubbed as a Black Day, it was said that the events of May 9th clearly emphasise that no one should be allowed to impose their will on others through political terrorism. All the evidence and incidents were thoroughly investigated and irrefutable evidence was collected against the involved culprits.

Also read: May 9 trials: SC conditionally allows military courts to announce verdicts

A few of the cases were sent to field general courts-martial, after which these cases were tried following due process. On December 13, 2024, a seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the announcement of verdicts in pending cases that were delayed due to a previous order of the Supreme Court.

These sentences were handed down after examining all the evidence and completing the due legal process and according to the ISPR the convicted accused were provided all legal rights to fulfill the legal requirements.

FOLLOWING ARE 25 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN SENTENCED

JINNAH HOUSE ATTACK

• Jan Muhammad s/o Taur Khan, 10 years
• Muhammad Imran Mahboob s/o Mahboob Ahmed: 10 years
• Dawood Khan s/o Shad Khan: 10 years
• Ali Shan s/o Noor Muhammad: 10 years
• Abdul Hadi s/o Abdul Qayyum: 10 years
• Zia ur Rehman s/o Azam Khurshid: 10 years
• Ali Iftikhar s/o Iftikhar Ahmed: 10 years
• Muhammad Hashir Khan s/o Tahir Bashir: 6 years
• Fahim Haider s/o Farooq Haider: 6 years
• Muhammad Ashiq Khan s/o Nasib Khan: 4 years
• Muhammad Bilal s/o Manzoor Hussain: 2 years

PUNJAB REGIMENTAL CENTRE MARDAN

• Rahmatullah s/o Manzoor Khan: 10 years
• Yaser Nawaz s/o Amir Nawaz Khan: 2 years
• Saeed Alam s/o Muaz Allah Khan: 2 years
• Adnan Ahmed s/o Sher Muhammad: 10 years
• Shakirullah s/o Anwar Shah: 10 years

PAF BASE MIANWALI

• Anwar Khan s/o Muhammad Khan: 10 years
• Babar Jamal s/o Muhammad Ajmal Khan: 10 years

GHQ

• Raja Muhammad Ehsan s/o Raja Muhammad Maqsood: 10 years
• Umar Farooq s/o Muhammad Sabir: 10 years

MULTAN CANTT CHECKPOINT

• Zahid Khan son of Muhammad Khan: 4 years
• Khuram Shahzad son of Liaquat Ali: 3 years 

The remaining three convicted are Muhammad Afaq Khan s/o M. Ashiq Khan, given nine years for the Bannu Cantonment attack, Dawood Khan s/o Amir Zeb handed seven years for the Chakdara Fort attack and lastly Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed for involvement in the ISI Office Faisalabad attack.

ISPR

The ISPR statement added that true justice will be served when the masterminds and planners of the May 9 incident are punished according to the constitution and law. By providing justice in the May 9 case, the ‘misguided and destructive politics based on violence will be buried.’

These sentences will also serve as warning to those who fall victim to ‘political propaganda’ and ‘poisonous lies’ to never take the law into their own hands in the future. The verdict for other accused will be announced once their legal proceedings are completed. It was also said that all convicted criminals have the right to appeal and other legal options as per the constitution and law.