The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Saturday that military courts have sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in the violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots of May 9, 2023. The unrest, which followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, led to what the ISPR described as “politically orchestrated attacks” on armed forces installations, including the desecration of martyrs’ monuments.
The ISPR statement condemned these violent actions, calling them an unacceptable attempt to impose a perverted political agenda through violence and coercion. It emphasized the need to address these acts of political terrorism and stressed the significance of maintaining law and order in the country. The convicted individuals were involved in attacks on several key military sites, including Jinnah House, General Headquarters (GHQ), and the Pakistan Air Force Base Mianwali.
The military’s media wing described May 9, 2023, as a “Black Day” and stated that investigators gathered “irrefutable evidence” to prosecute those responsible. Certain cases were referred to the Field General Court Martial as per the law. The prosecutions gained momentum following a December 13, 2024, ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which directed the finalization of pending cases that had been stalled by an earlier court order.
In the first phase of sentencing, the military courts handed down prison terms of two to ten years, with 14 of the 25 convicted individuals receiving ten-year sentences, the majority of which were connected to the Jinnah House attack. Other attacks included those on GHQ, PAF Base Mianwali, Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan, and various other military installations across the country.
Among those receiving the maximum sentences were Jan Muhammad Khan and Muhammad Imran Mehboob for their involvement in the Jinnah House incident, Raja Muhammad Ehsan for the GHQ attack, and Anwar Khan for his role in the PAF Base Mianwali attack. The ISPR further stated that the sentences of remaining accused individuals will be announced as their cases proceed through the judicial process.
The statement characterized the verdicts as a significant step in the administration of justice, while noting that additional suspects are being tried in Anti-Terrorist Courts. It also emphasized that justice would only be fully served once the masterminds and planners of the May 9 riots are held accountable in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Pakistan.
The ISPR warned individuals manipulated by political propaganda to avoid taking the law into their own hands in the future, calling the sentences a “stark reminder” of the consequences of such actions. The statement concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all.
In response, the PTI’s United States chapter criticized the military courts, claiming that civilians had been sentenced by officers acting as judges and alleging that many had been tortured into providing false confessions during their year-long detention under harsh conditions.
Sentences of the Convicted Individuals:
- Jan Muhammad Khan — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Muhammad Imran Mehboob — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Raja Muhammad Ehsan — GHQ attack incident (10 years)
- Rehmat Ullah — Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years)
- Ali Iftikhar — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Zia ur Rehman — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Adnan Ahmed — Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years)
- Shakir Ullah — Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (10 years)
- Anwar Khan — PAF Base Mianwali incident (10 years)
- Abdul Hadi — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Ali Shan — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Daud Khan — Jinnah House incident (10 years)
- Umar Farooq — GHQ attack incident (10 years)
- Babar Jamal — PAF Base Mianwali incident (10 years)
- Muhammad Afaq Khan — Bannu Cantt incident (9 years)
- Daud Khan — Chakdara Fort incident (7 years)
- Faheem Haider — Multan Cantt Check Post incident (6 years)
- Muhammad Hashir Khan — Jinnah House incident (6 years)
- Zahid Khan — Multan Cantt Check Post incident (4 years)
- Muhammad Ashiq Khan — Jinnah House incident (4 years)
- Khuram Shahzad — Multan Cantt Check Post incident (3 years)
- Muhammad Bilawal — Jinnah House incident (2 years)
- Said Alam — Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (2 years)
- Laeeq Ahmed — ISI Office Faisalabad incident (2 years)
- Yasir Nawaz — Punjab Regimental Centre Mardan incident (2 years)
