RAWALPINDI – The military courts have awarded punishments to 25 individuals involved in the May 9, 2023, attacks on state installations.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said, “Field General Court Martial (FGCM) have in first phase promulgated the punishments to 25 accused”.
The protests sparked in parts of country after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was arrested in a corruption case. During the protests, several military installations were attacked.
In turn, authorities arrested scores of PTI workers and over 100 civilians, who are now facing trials in military courts.
However, PTI has clarified that it had no role in the attacks on military installations, including the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), as it has called for a judicial probe into May 9 riots.
ISPR said the promulgation of the sentences of remaining accused is also being done and will be announced shortly as and when the due process is complete.
“All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution,” the ISPR said in the statement.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court Constitutional Bench allowed military courts to announce decisions for 85 accused individuals.
The Constitutional Bench ruled that the decisions of the military courts would be conditional on the decision of the pending case in the Supreme Court.
The case regarding the trial of civilians in military courts was heard by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, which decided to adjourn all other cases except the military courts’ cases. Justice Aminuddin Khan stated that only the case related to military courts would be heard today.
ISPR said this is an important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation. It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by the vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take law in own hands ever in the future.
Many accused are also being tried in various Anti Terrorist Courts and their cases are being pursued as per the law, however, justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of 9th May Tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land. State of Pakistan will continue to vigoursly pursue dispensation of justice to ensure establishment of inviolable writ of the State, so as to uproot this evil of violence driven disruptive and destructive politics based on hate, divisiveness and baseless propaganda.
All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the law and the Constitution.
