Military courts have handed prison sentences ranging from two to ten years to 25 civilians involved in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots of May 2023, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement released on Saturday.
The Field General Court Martial delivered these sentences in the first phase after thoroughly reviewing evidence and completing legal formalities.
“The convicted individuals participated in attacks on key military sites, including Jinnah House, the General Headquarters (GHQ), and Pakistan Air Force Base Mianwali,” the statement revealed.
Among the convicts, 14 received rigorous imprisonment terms of 10 years, while others were given shorter sentences.
ISPR described these actions as an “unacceptable attempt at political terrorism,” aimed at imposing a distorted agenda through violence and coercion. It referred to the events of May 9 as a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history, characterized by politically motivated violence and arson at multiple locations.
The statement emphasized the role of hate-driven propaganda in fueling these orchestrated attacks, targeting armed forces’ installations and desecrating monuments of fallen soldiers (Shuhada).
“These violent acts not only shocked the nation but reinforced the need to counter attempts at political terrorism designed to impose one’s will through violence,” the ISPR stated.
Following the “Black Day,” the military launched comprehensive investigations, collecting irrefutable evidence to legally prosecute those involved. Some cases were referred to the Field General Court Martial for trial under legal procedures.
The convictions were hailed as an “important milestone” in ensuring justice. ISPR warned against falling prey to political propaganda in the future, urging individuals to avoid taking the law into their hands.
Details of the Sentences:
- Jan Muhammad Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Imran Mehboob (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Raja Muhammad Ehsan (GHQ attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Rehmatullah (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Anwar Khan (PAF Base Mianwali attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Afaq Khan (Bannu Cantonment attack) – 9 years imprisonment
- Daud Khan (Chakdara Fort attack) – 7 years imprisonment
- Faheem Haider (Jinnah House attack) – 6 years imprisonment
- Zahid Khan (Multan Cantonment checkpoint attack) – 4 years imprisonment
- Yasir Nawaz (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 2 years imprisonment
- Abdul Hadi (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Ali Shan (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Daud Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Umar Farooq (GHQ attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Babar Jamal (PAF Base Mianwali attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Hashir Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 6 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Ashiq Khan (Jinnah House attack) – 4 years imprisonment
- Khurram Shehzad (Multan Cantonment checkpoint attack) – 3 years imprisonment
- Muhammad Bilawal (Jinnah House attack) – 2 years imprisonment
- Saeed Alam (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 2 years imprisonment
- Laiq Ahmad (ISI Office Faisalabad attack) – 2 years imprisonment
- Ali Iftikhar (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Zia Ur Rehman (Jinnah House attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Adnan Ahmad (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
- Shakir Ullah (Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan attack) – 10 years imprisonment
