The mercy petitions of 19 convicts involved in the May 9 cases have been accepted on humanitarian grounds, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a statement on Thursday.
The development comes less than a month after military courts sentenced a total of 85 civilians involved in the May 9 riots of 2023. On December 21, the ISPR announced that 25 civilians were handed prison terms by military courts over the May 9 events. A week later, another 60 civilians were handed jail terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in the nationwide riots.
“Sequel to the promulgation of punishments to 9th May Tragedy convicts, they have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy/remission in their punishments,” the statement said.
“A total of 67 convicts have given their mercy petitions,” it said, adding that 48 petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal, while petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted “purely on humanitarian grounds, under the law.”
“Mercy petitions of remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process,” it said.
Those whose punishment has been remitted include:
Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan
Sami Ullah s/o Meer dad Khan
Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed
Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed
Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan
Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan
Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi
Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan
Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam
Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar
Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt
Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil
Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed
Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt
Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir
Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad
Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota
Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain
Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem
“They all shall be released after [the] completion of procedural formalities.
“All those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the constitution.”
The ISPR added: “The remission of punishments is a testament to the strength of due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is served while also taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy.”
In April 2024, 20 people convicted over the May 9 riots —who had been jailed and had served a major part of their sentences — were also pardoned on humanitarian grounds after their sentences were remitted by the army chief.
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The riots
On May 9, 2023, violent protests erupted across the country following the brief arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. At least 10 people lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries, while approximately 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged.
These included the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House) and Askari Tower in Lahore, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar, Toll Plaza at Swat Motorway and the PAF Base Mianwali.
In total, 62 outbreaks of violence were documented, inflicting a loss of Rs2.5 billion on the country, of which, according to the state, Rs1.98bn in losses were suffered by the army. The military says the events were a coordinated attack by the PTI leadership.
In its widely praised verdict, a five-member bench on Oct 13, 2023, had unanimously declared the military trials of 103 civilians null and void.
The apex court had declared that the accused would not be tried in military courts but in criminal courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary or special law of the land.
However, on December 13, 2023, in a 5-1 majority verdict, the SC conditionally suspended its own Oct 23 ruling — albeit by a different bench — pending a final judgement as it heard a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs).
In March 2024, a six-member SC bench had also conditionally allowed military courts to pronounce reserved verdicts in the cases. It had also modified its Dec 13 injunction, ordering that military courts could commence trials but they would not convict or acquit any suspect until the pendency of government-instituted ICAs.
More to follow
