Military courts have sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots of May 2023, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
The ISPR revealed that the Field General Court Martial handed down the sentences after a thorough review of evidence and adherence to legal procedures. The convicted individuals were implicated in attacks on key military sites, including Jinnah House, the General Headquarters (GHQ), and the Pakistan Air Force Base in Mianwali.
The 25 individuals, 14 received ten-year sentences of rigorous imprisonment, while the remaining were given shorter terms, the statement detailed.
The ISPR emphasized that the violent incidents represented an “unacceptable attempt of political terrorism” aimed at imposing a “perverted will through violence and coercion.” The events of May 9 were described as a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history, marked by politically motivated violence and arson targeting military installations and the desecration of monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers.
The statement further condemned these acts as a direct threat to national security and stability. It highlighted the meticulous investigations conducted by the military, which gathered irrefutable evidence to prosecute the perpetrators. Some of the cases were referred to the Field General Court Martial, where trials proceeded under proper legal frameworks.
The ISPR referred to the sentences as a significant step toward delivering justice, cautioning against future attempts to exploit political propaganda and disregard the law.
Details of Convicted Individuals:
- 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
The ISPR concluded by underscoring the sentences as a warning against future lawlessness and a milestone in delivering justice for acts of political violence.
