ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said complete justice will be served in the May 9 riots when its mastermind and planners were held accountable.
The military courts today sentenced 25 rioters involved in attacks on military installations including its headquarters on May 9, 2023. Workers and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets across the country and attacked the military installations on May 9, 2023, triggered by the arrest of its founding chairman Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court.
The ISPR statement read that the May 9 riots have a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history, driven by political propaganda and divisive rhetoric.
He said that the violence and destruction incited by political terrorism will not be tolerated. These sentences serve as a warning to those who may be tempted to take the law into their own hands, it added.
The IPSR said that full justice would be delivered when masterminds and planners behind the violence were held accountable as per the Constitution.
The ISPR stated that 25 rioters involved in the violent events of May 9, 2023, have been sentenced by military courts.
Muhammad Afaq Khan, convicted for his involvement in the Bannu Cantt attack, received 9 years, and Dawood Khan, who participated in the Chakdara Fort attack, was sentenced to 7 years of hard labour.
Other convictions include Zahid Khan, sentenced to 4 years for the Multan Cantt checkpost attack, and Khurram Shahzad, who received 3 years with hard labour. Umar Farooq, involved in the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), was sentenced to 10 years of hard labour.
All evidence has been thoroughly investigated, with irrefutable proof collected against the accused, some of whom have been tried by Field General Court Martial, the statement read.
The military has vowed to continue upholding the rule of law in the wake of May 9, rejecting violence-based political narratives in favor of stability and justice for the nation.
