Military Courts Sentence 25 Civilians for May 9 Violence

 In a significant development, military courts in Pakistan have sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots of May 9, 2023. The announcement, made by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday, follows the Supreme Court’s recent conditional approval for military courts to issue verdicts in cases linked to the riots.

The convicted individuals received sentences primarily for attacks on key military sites, including Jinnah House in Lahore, the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base in Mianwali. Among the 25 convicted, 14 were handed the maximum 10-year prison term, while others received varying sentences ranging from two to nine years.

The ISPR emphasized that all convicts were afforded due legal rights, including the right to appeal, as guaranteed by the Constitution. It further stated that sentencing for the remaining accused is underway and will be announced upon the completion of due legal process.

The Supreme Court had conditionally allowed military courts to announce reserved verdicts on December 13, pending final determination of appeals. The court’s earlier verdicts had shifted trials of civilians involved in the May 9 incidents from military to ordinary criminal courts. However, the conditional suspension of these decisions by subsequent benches enabled military courts to proceed with pronouncements.

The riots on May 9 erupted after the arrest of a former premier from the Islamabad High Court premises. The violence, described as “politically provoked,” caused extensive damage to public and military properties. At least 10 lives were lost, hundreds were injured, and 62 separate incidents of violence were documented. Damages amounted to an estimated ₹2.5 billion, of which the military suffered ₹1.98 billion in losses.

The ISPR described the violence as “politically orchestrated attacks” aimed at undermining the state’s stability. “These blatant acts of violence shocked the nation and underscored the necessity of addressing this unacceptable attempt at political terrorism,” the statement said.

The military underscored its commitment to pursuing justice against the perpetrators, including the planners and masterminds of the May 9 riots. It vowed to uphold the state’s writ and eradicate violence-driven politics fueled by hate and propaganda.

“This is a stark reminder to all those exploited by vested interests to refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” the ISPR warned.

The convictions mark a milestone in addressing the events of May 9, a day the military referred to as a “Black Day” in Pakistan’s history. While military courts have concluded trials for some accused, many others continue to face proceedings in anti-terrorism courts.

The ISPR reiterated that full justice would only be achieved once all those involved, including masterminds, are brought to account under the Constitution and laws of Pakistan.