Pakistan military pardons 19 convicts involved in riots after Khan's arrest

The Pakistan military announced on Thursday the remission of sentences for 19 individuals convicted for their involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots that swept across the country.

The announcement comes after military courts sentenced 85 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their roles in what the military described as “violent attacks” on its installations last month. Among those convicted was Hassaan Khan Niazi, the nephew of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The May 9 unrest, triggered by Imran Khan's arrest, included high-profile incidents such as assaults on the Jinnah House in Lahore and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi among multiple other high-profile military sites.

In a statement issued by the army's media wing - the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) -, the military said the decision to remit the sentences was made on “humanitarian grounds”, emphasizing a balance between justice and compassion.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

“A total of 67 convicts filed mercy petitions. Forty-eight petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal, while petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted purely on humanitarian grounds, in accordance with the law,” the ISPR statement read.

The ISPR added that the remaining mercy petitions would be decided in due course following the legal process.

List of convicts granted remission

1. Muhammad Ayaz
2. Sami Ullah
3. Laeeq Ahmed
4. Amjad Ali
5. Yasir Nawaz
6. Said Alam
7. Zahid Khan
8. Muhammad Suleman
9. Hamza Sharif
10. Muhammad Salman
11. Asher Butt
12. Muhammad Waqas
13. Sufayan Idrees
14. Muneeb Ahmed
15. Muhammad Ahmed
16. Muhammad Nawaz
17. Muhammad Ali
18. Muhammad Bilawal
19. Muhammad Ilyas

The convicts will be released after the completion of procedural formalities, the statement added.

“All those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the constitution,” the ISPR said.

The military also framed the sentence remissions as a reflection of the principles of fairness and due process. “The remission of punishments is a testament to the strength of the due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is served while also taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy,” the statement said.

This is the second instance of sentence remissions linked to the May 9 incidents. In April 2024, 20 convicts were released, also on "humanitarian grounds".

International criticism

Earlier, the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union had expressed concerns over the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in military courts.

"The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement Tuesday. "These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees," he added.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller expresses concern over Pakistan's decision to sentence civilians in military courts.Courtesy: X/@StateDeptSpox

The U.K. government also condemned the trials. "While the U.K. respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny, and undermines the right to a fair trial," a Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office spokesperson said. "We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."

Similarly, the European Union expressed concerns, stating that the trials violated Pakistan’s obligations under Article 14 of the ICCPR, which guarantees the right to a fair and public trial.

Military defends civilian trials in military courts

However, the military’s spokesperson defended the military trials of civilians, comparing the prosecutions to riot-related trials in Western democracies while dismissing mounting international criticism as politically motivated propaganda.

"The May 9 case is not just about the armed forces but about the people," Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a press conference in Rawalpindi. "If any group, armed faction, or violent group tries to impose their will and ideology… where are we taking our society?”

- YouTubeyoutu.be

The military spokesman targeted critics of the trials, accusing them of hypocrisy. "They were themselves big advocates of military courts until recently," he said, suggesting that detractors now spread "toxic propaganda" after being unable to "defend the May 9 incident."

He warned that prosecutions would continue "until the main characters of May 9 are dealt with according to justice." Drawing comparisons with other nations, he argued, "In racial riots in Britain, both adults and minors were quickly punished. In America, those involved in Capitol Hill were swiftly punished. Those involved in riots in France were also quickly punished. So why can't this happen in Pakistan?"

Defending the legitimacy of military courts, the spokesman emphasized that such courts have "existed in Pakistan for decades" and claimed endorsement from the International Court of Justice.