TOI correspondent from Islamabad: Pakistan’s military announced Saturday that 25 civilians have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their alleged involvement in violent protests following the arrest of former PM Imran Khan on May 9 last year, which resulted in the death of at least eight people.
Khan’s followers stormed state houses and military setups. The military’s statement detailed that the convictions relate primarily to attacks on key military sites, including Jinnah House ( the Lahore corps commander’s residence ), General Headquarters ( GHQ ) in Rawalpindi, and a Pakistan Air Force ( PAF ) base in Mianwali.
Field General Court Martial entered the second stage of testing with the statements. Prior to the Supreme Court, Supreme Court had previously temporarily permitted military tribunals to render judgments for 85 residents detained in connection with the protests.
The military speech made clear that the prisoners have the legal right to appeal and other legal options as stipulated in the law.
The May 9 violence led to the arrest of many politicians and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ( PTI ) party. PTI has denied role in the crime. Government and military still contend that PTI bronze were properly planning and carrying out the attacks.
Khan and his party had demanded a criminal investigation into the May 9 incidents, alleging that the crime was a “false flag” activity intended to stifle PTI.
PTI condemned the defense court’s decision. Omar Ayub, the opposition leader of the National Assembly, wrote on X:” Martial judge sentences against citizens rejected. The inmates are residents and are not subject to legal proceedings by military courts. The procedure was described as “kangaroo authorities,” according to him.
PTI’s US section criticised the decisions. ” Colonels and degrees, acting as courts, have sentenced residents it tried in military courts. These residents were held for over a month in severe conditions, with some tortured into giving false revelations”, it posted on X.
Amnesty International also denounced the military court’s decision, describing it as” an intimidation tactic, designed to crack down on dissent”.
Army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations ( ISPR ) referred to the protests as “politically provoked violence and arson”. When the legal process is finished, ISPR said additional words for the remaining accused may be announced.
