Pakistan's Military Tribunal Sentences 25 Civilians for Role in 2023 Unrest
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Rawalpindi, Dec 21 (NationPress) Military tribunals in Pakistan are now issuing sentences to those deemed responsible for the disturbances on May 9, 2023. A total of 25 civilians have been convicted for their involvement in violent protests, receiving prison terms that span from two to ten years, as reported by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media arm of Pakistan's military, on Saturday.
As per ISPR, these individuals were found guilty due to their active roles in assaults on critical military facilities, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Pakistan Air Force Base in Mianwali, along with other significant military sites nationwide.
The protests erupted in response to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The ISPR emphasized that these convictions were reached after following due legal protocols, stating that the sentences delivered by the Field General Court Martial represent the initial phase, with additional convictions anticipated following a comprehensive examination of evidence.
Reportedly, 14 of the accused have been handed sentences of 10 years, while the other 11 received shorter terms that range from two to nine years.
The ISPR highlighted that the riots on May 9, 2023, represented overt acts of violence that profoundly impacted Pakistan.
These brazen acts of violence not only stunned the nation but also highlighted the urgent need to curb such acts of political terrorism aimed at enforcing a distorted agenda through violence and intimidation,” the statement noted.
Additionally, on December 13, 2024, a seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the resolution of pending cases linked to previous Supreme Court directives, ensuring that verdicts for those implicated in these violent acts are announced.
The recent convictions pose a significant challenge to PTI and Imran Khan, who have denied any involvement in the unrest, accusing the military of exploiting the situation to target PTI and its leaders for political gain.
Khan, currently serving sentences for various corruption-related cases, has called for a judicial inquiry into the events of last year, insisting he had no part in the attacks on military sites. His party, PTI, has also expressed concerns regarding the trials of civilians in military courts, alleging that the government and military are utilizing the May 9 incident to suppress Khan and his party, effectively banning political gatherings, meetings, and public appearances.
In contrast, the government and military maintain that Imran Khan orchestrated the well-planned and targeted strikes against military facilities.
