ISLAMABAD (TNS) In the May 9th Tragedy Case, justice has been spoken loudly with the court decision. The May 9th sentencing decision is an important milestone in providing justice to the nation.
The sentencing is a clear message to all those who are exploited by a few vested interests.
Moreover, the May 9th tragedy reflects the thinking of a few evil elements. The desecration of the martyrs’ memorials on May 9th, the attack on defense installations, reflects a mindset.
Finally, why were only military and defense installations attacked on May 9th. Were these attackers anti-national elements? Or people who have strayed from the right path? Who made them think that they rose up against the most credible institution of the country. Their act has brought disrepute to the country of Pakistan all over the world.
The Pakistani army and other law enforcement agencies took timely action. A large number of miscreants were arrested while the camera recorded all the scenes in which they were clearly seen attacking defense and military installations.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik welcomed the decision of the Sargodha court on the cases related to May 9 and said that the court took the decision keeping in mind the requirements of justice, which has upheld the constitution and law. The Minister of State for Law said in an Islamabad news conference that on May 9, 2023, more than 200 places were attacked as planned, and 32 accused, including the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Bhachar, were sentenced to 10 years each, fulfilling the requirements of law and justice. A transparent trial was held for all the accused in the Anti-Terrorism Court of Sargodha, the statements of the witnesses were recorded, they were cross-examined and then the court gave its verdict in accordance with the constitution and law. There is evidence against most of the accused involved in May 9, there are facts through videos, audios and pictures of the office bearers and workers of the political party as well as CCTV footage. The Minister of State said that when you take the law into your hands, then whether you are an MNA or MPA, opposition leader or a person holding any other important position, the law will act against you and the law is equal for everyone. A certain political party carried out attacks on sensitive places under a plan, the officials of the political party brainwashed their workers and incited them to attack government property. He said that when you challenge the writ of the state, attack sensitive, military places and martyrs’ memorials, then the state will take action and will also uphold its writ. A certain political party used to say why the cases are not being decided, so today a decision was made, in which the law has prevailed. It may be recalled that the Anti-Terrorism Court Sargodha sentenced Opposition Leader Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Bachhar and other accused to 10 years in prison in the Mianwali protest case on May 9, 2023. It may be recalled that after the arrest of Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, 2023, a nationwide protest was held by the PTI. During this, in addition to the burning of the PML-N office in the Model Town area of Lahore on May 9, military, civil and private installations were set on fire, and serious damage was caused to government and private property, while at least 8 people were killed and 290 injured during this time.Protesters also stormed the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore, also known as Jinnah House, and broke a gate of the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. After this, 1900 people involved in fighting, vandalism and arson with law enforcement agencies across the country were arrested, while cases were also registered against Imran Khan and his party leaders and workers. The Anti-Terrorism Court pronounced the verdict in case number 72 registered at Musakhel police station in Mianwali regarding the May 9, 2023 incident. The court sentenced 36 PTI leaders and workers, including Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bachhar and Member of National Assembly Ahmed Chatha, to 10 years in prison each. Former MNA Bilal Ijaz is also among those convicted. The accused were charged with violent protests, arson and other serious charges. Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Bhachar has announced to challenge the court’s decision in the Lahore High Court. He said that after receiving the written decision, I will approach the High Court. It is premature to say anything about my disqualification. It should be noted that earlier on December 21, 2024, a military court sentenced 25 criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy case to 10 years in prison. Later, on December 26, 2024, a military court sentenced 60 more criminals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi, involved in the May 9, 2023 tragedy, to 10 years in prison. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army’s Courts of Appeal had announced the pardon of 19 criminals in the May 9, 2023 tragedy on January 2 this year. Recall that on December 21, 2024, 25 criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy were sentenced to up to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by military courts. The Field General Court Martial had sentenced 25 accused in the first phase. According to the Pakistan Army spokesperson, on May 9, 2023, the nation witnessed tragic incidents of politically motivated incited violence and arson. The violent incidents of May 9 have a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan. Indisputable evidence was collected against the criminals. The Pakistan Army spokesperson said that these sentences are a warning to people who have fallen victim to political propaganda and poisonous lies to never take the law into their own hands in the future. Cases against several accused are also pending in various anti-terrorism courts, while the sentences of other accused are also being announced as soon as their legal process is completed. ‘Justice will be done when the mastermind is punished according to the constitution and law.’ The Pakistan Army spokesperson had said that true justice will be done when the mastermind and planners of May 9 are punished according to the constitution and law. The state of Pakistan will ensure the rule of law by providing complete justice in the events of May 9. By providing justice in the May 9 case, the misguided and destructive politics based on violence will be buried. The justice to be done on May 9 negates hatred, division and baseless propaganda. According to the constitution and law, all convicted criminals have the right to appeal and other legal remedies. Details of the 25 convicted accused; Jan Muhammad Khan son of Toor Khan, Muhammad Imran Mahboob son of Mahboob Ahmed, Abdul Hadi son of Abdul Qayyum, Ali Shan son of Noor Muhammad, Iftikhar son of Iftikhar Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehman son of Azam Khurshid and Dawood Khan son of Shad Khan, involved in the Jinnah House attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Faheem Haider son of Farooq Haider, Muhammad Hasher Khan son of Tahir Bashir, involved in the Jinnah House attack, were sentenced to 6 years of rigorous imprisonment. Muhammad Ashiq Khan son of Naseeb Khan, involved in the Jinnah House attack, was sentenced to 4 years of rigorous imprisonment. Muhammad Bilawal son of Manzoor Hussain, involved in the Jinnah House attack, was sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment.Rehmatullah son of Manjoor Khan and Adnan Ahmed son of Sher Muhammad, involved in the Punjab Regimental Center Mardan attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Yasir Nawaz son of Amir Nawaz Khan and Syed Alam son of Maazullah Khan, involved in the Punjab Regimental Center Mardan attack, were sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment. Raja Muhammad Ehsan son of Raja Muhammad Maqsood, Umar Farooq son of Muhammad Sabir, involved in the GHQ attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Anwar Khan son of Muhammad Khan and Babar Jamal son of Muhammad Ajmal Khan, involved in the PAF base Mianwali attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Muhammad Afaq Khan, son of M. Ashfaq Khan, involved in the Bannu Cantt attack, was sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor, Dawood Khan, son of Amir Zeb, involved in the Chakdara Qila attack, was sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack, was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Khurram Shahzad, son of Liaquat Ali, involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack, was sentenced to 3 years in prison with hard labor, and Laiq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed, involved in the ISI office Faisalabad attack, was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor. It may be recalled that on December 26, 2024, 60 more criminals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi, involved in the May 9, 2023 tragedy, were sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor. According to the ISPR, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, 60 more criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy were sentenced by the Field General Court Martial. The ISPR said that the Field General Court Martial had examined all the evidence, ensured legal rights to the criminals and acted in accordance with legal requirements before handing down the sentences. Details of the convicted criminals; Hassan Khan Niazi son of Hafizullah Niazi, involved in the Jinnah House attack, sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Arsalan son of Muhammad Siraj, sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Brigadier (retd) Javed Akram son of Chaudhry Muhammad Akram, Raees Ahmed son of Shafiullah, Arzam Junaid son of Junaid Razzaq, Muhammad Umair son of Abdul Sattar, Muhammad Rahim son of Naeem Khan and Ali Raza son of Ghulam Mustafa, sentenced to 6 years in prison with hard labor, Noman Shah son of Mahmood Ahmed Shah, sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Group Captain (retd) Ahmed Mohsin son of Bashir Ahmed Mohsin, Mian Ibad Farooq son of Amanat Ali and Haider Majeed son of Muhammad Majeed, sentenced to 2 years and 2 years in prison with hard labor, Syed Hassan Shah son of Asif Hussain Shah, involved in the GHQ attack, sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor, Raja Danish son of Raja Abdul Waheed and Muhammad Abdullah son of Kanwar Ashraf Khan, sentenced to 4 years and 4 years in prison with hard labor, Saqlain Haider son of Rafiullah Khan, Amin Shah son of Mushtar Khan, Ezzat Gul, involved in the Bannu Cantt attack Son of Mirdat Khan, Nek Muhammad son of Nasrullah Jan, Rahimullah son of Baitullah, Khalid Nawaz son of Hamid Khan and Ikramullah son of Khanzada Khan were sentenced to 9 years each with hard labor, Khurram Liaquat son of Liaquat Ali Shahid involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack was sentenced to 4 years with hard labor, Hamid Ali son of Syed Hadi Shah and Pirzada Mian Muhammad Ishaq Bhutta son of Pirzada Mian Qamaruddin Bhutta were sentenced to 3 years each with hard labor, Ali Hussain son of Khalilur Rehman involved in the attack on AIMH Rawalpindi was sentenced to 7 years in prison, Zahid Khan son of Muhammad Nabi involved in the attack on Punjab Regiment Center Mardan was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Sohrab Khan son of Riaz Khan involved in the attack on the headquarters of Dir Scouts Timergara was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Ilyas son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem involved in the attack on the headquarters of Dir Scouts Timergara was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Zakir Hussain son of Shah Faisal and Gohar involved in the attack on Qila Chakdara Rehman son of Gul Rehman was sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Raees Ahmed son of Khaista Rehman was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Faheem Sajid son of Muhammad Khan was sentenced to 8 years in prison with hard labor, Fahad Imran son of Muhammad Imran Shahid was sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor in the attack on the ISI office in Faisalabad, Muhammad Salman son of Zahid Nisar, Hamza Sharif son of Muhammad Azam, and Amjad Ali son of Manzoor Ahmed were sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Ahmed son of Muhammad Nazir, Sufyan Idrees son of Idrees and accused Muhammad Waqas son of Malik Muhammad Khalil were sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Ayaz son of Sahibzada Khan was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor in the attack on the main gate of FC Cantt Peshawar.Rehmatullah son of Manjoor Khan and Adnan Ahmed son of Sher Muhammad, involved in the Punjab Regimental Center Mardan attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Yasir Nawaz son of Amir Nawaz Khan and Syed Alam son of Maazullah Khan, involved in the Punjab Regimental Center Mardan attack, were sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment. Raja Muhammad Ehsan son of Raja Muhammad Maqsood, Umar Farooq son of Muhammad Sabir, involved in the GHQ attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Anwar Khan son of Muhammad Khan and Babar Jamal son of Muhammad Ajmal Khan, involved in the PAF base Mianwali attack, were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Muhammad Afaq Khan, son of M. Ashfaq Khan, involved in the Bannu Cantt attack, was sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor, Dawood Khan, son of Amir Zeb, involved in the Chakdara Qila attack, was sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack, was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Khurram Shahzad, son of Liaquat Ali, involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack, was sentenced to 3 years in prison with hard labor, and Laiq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed, involved in the ISI office Faisalabad attack, was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor. It may be recalled that on December 26, 2024, 60 more criminals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi, involved in the May 9, 2023 tragedy, were sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor. According to the ISPR, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, 60 more criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy were sentenced by the Field General Court Martial. The ISPR said that the Field General Court Martial had examined all the evidence, ensured legal rights to the criminals and acted in accordance with legal requirements before handing down the sentences. Details of the convicted criminals; Hassan Khan Niazi son of Hafizullah Niazi, involved in the Jinnah House attack, sentenced to 10 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Arsalan son of Muhammad Siraj, sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Brigadier (retd) Javed Akram son of Chaudhry Muhammad Akram, Raees Ahmed son of Shafiullah, Arzam Junaid son of Junaid Razzaq, Muhammad Umair son of Abdul Sattar, Muhammad Rahim son of Naeem Khan and Ali Raza son of Ghulam Mustafa, sentenced to 6 years in prison with hard labor, Noman Shah son of Mahmood Ahmed Shah, sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Group Captain (retd) Ahmed Mohsin son of Bashir Ahmed Mohsin, Mian Ibad Farooq son of Amanat Ali and Haider Majeed son of Muhammad Majeed, sentenced to 2 years and 2 years in prison with hard labor, Syed Hassan Shah son of Asif Hussain Shah, involved in the GHQ attack, sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor, Raja Danish son of Raja Abdul Waheed and Muhammad Abdullah son of Kanwar Ashraf Khan, sentenced to 4 years and 4 years in prison with hard labor, Saqlain Haider son of Rafiullah Khan, Amin Shah son of Mushtar Khan, Ezzat Gul, involved in the Bannu Cantt attack Son of Mirdat Khan, Nek Muhammad son of Nasrullah Jan, Rahimullah son of Baitullah, Khalid Nawaz son of Hamid Khan and Ikramullah son of Khanzada Khan were sentenced to 9 years each with hard labor, Khurram Liaquat son of Liaquat Ali Shahid involved in the Multan Cantt check post attack was sentenced to 4 years with hard labor, Hamid Ali son of Syed Hadi Shah and Pirzada Mian Muhammad Ishaq Bhutta son of Pirzada Mian Qamaruddin Bhutta were sentenced to 3 years each with hard labor, Ali Hussain son of Khalilur Rehman involved in the attack on AIMH Rawalpindi was sentenced to 7 years in prison, Zahid Khan son of Muhammad Nabi involved in the attack on Punjab Regiment Center Mardan was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Sohrab Khan son of Riaz Khan involved in the attack on the headquarters of Dir Scouts Timergara was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Ilyas son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem involved in the attack on the headquarters of Dir Scouts Timergara was sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Zakir Hussain son of Shah Faisal and Gohar involved in the attack on Qila Chakdara Rehman son of Gul Rehman was sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labor, Raees Ahmed son of Khaista Rehman was sentenced to 4 years in prison with hard labor, Faheem Sajid son of Muhammad Khan was sentenced to 8 years in prison with hard labor, Fahad Imran son of Muhammad Imran Shahid was sentenced to 9 years in prison with hard labor in the attack on the ISI office in Faisalabad, Muhammad Salman son of Zahid Nisar, Hamza Sharif son of Muhammad Azam, and Amjad Ali son of Manzoor Ahmed were sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor, Muhammad Ahmed son of Muhammad Nazir, Sufyan Idrees son of Idrees and accused Muhammad Ayaz son of SahiMuhammad Waqas son of Malik Muhammad Khalil were sentenced to 2 years in prison with hard labor,It should be noted that earlier on December 21, the ISPR had issued a statement saying that the Field General Court Martial had sentenced 25 criminals involved in the May 9 incident to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. It should be remembered that on January 2, 2025, the Pakistan Army Courts of Appeal had announced the pardon of 19 criminals of the May 9, 2023 incident. According to the ISPR, the Courts of Appeal have announced the pardon of 19 criminals of the May 9, 2023 incident. During the execution of the sentences, 67 criminals had filed mercy and pardon petitions using their legal rights. 48 petitions were sent to the ‘Courts of Appeal’ for review for legal action, the petitions of 19 criminals were approved in accordance with the law on purely humanitarian grounds. Those pardoned by the Court of Appeal included Muhammad Ayaz son of Sahibzada Khan, Samiullah son of Mir Dad Khan, Laiq Ahmed son of Manzoor Ahmed, Amjad Ali son of Manzoor Ahmed, Yasir Nawaz son of Amir Nawaz Khan, Saeed Alam son of Muazullah Khan, Saeed Alam and Dal Muazullah Khan, Zahid Khan son of Muhammad Nabi, Muhammad Suleman son of Saeed Ghani Jan and Hamza Sharif son of Muhammad Azam. The Court of Appeal also pardoned the sentences of Muhammad Salman son of Zahid Nisar, Ashar Butt son of Muhammad Arshad Butt, Muhammad Waqas son of Malik Muhammad Khalil, Sufyan Idris son of Idris Ahmed, Munib Ahmed son of Naveed Ahmed Butt, Muhammad Ahmed son of Muhammad Nazir, Muhammad Nawaz son of Abdul Samad, Muhammad Ali son of Muhammad Buta, Muhammad Bilawal son of Manzoor Hussain and Muhammad Ilyas son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem. In April 2024, according to the law, 20 criminals were ordered to be released on humanitarian grounds, 19 criminals were released after due process. The spokesperson of the Pakistan Army had clarified that the pardon of sentences is proof of fair legal process and strength of justice, the institution’s system ensures the provision of justice by keeping in mind the principles of compassion and mercy. It should be noted that on December 21, 2024, the ISPR had issued a statement stating that the Field General Court Martial had sentenced 25 criminals involved in the May 9 tragedy to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Later, on December 26, 2024, the ISPR had announced that 60 more criminals, including Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi, involved in the May 9 tragedy, had been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The accused were transferred to jail in phases.
