An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has indicted former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr. Yasmin Rashid and others in a case related to the May 9 riots filed at Shadman police station.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Manzar Ali Gul at Kot Lakhpat Jail where the accused denied all charges.
The other accused include PTI leaders Sanam Javed and others.
The case stems from violent protests on 9 May 2023 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
During these protests, military, civilian and private properties were set on fire, resulting in at least eight deaths and 290 injuries.
Law enforcement later arrested 1,900 people across the country for alleged involvement in the unrest. Cases were also filed against Imran Khan, party leaders and workers.
19 convicts in May 9 riots pardoned: ISPR
Last week, mercy petitions submitted by 19 people convicted for their participation in the May 9 protests were approved, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“Following the announcement of sentences for tragedy convicts on May 9, they have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy/remission in their sentences,” the military’s media wing stated.
The ISPR further said that a total of 67 convicts had filed mercy petitions out of which 48 of these petitions were heard in the appellate courts. It added that the petitions of 19 convicts had been accepted “purely on humanitarian grounds in accordance with the law.”
“They will all be released after the completion of the procedural formalities,” the statement continued.
The press release also mentioned that the mercy petitions of the remaining convicts would be decided in due course after the legal process. It stressed that all those convicted retain their right to appeal and pursue other remedies under the law and the constitution.
“The remission of sentences is a testimony to the strength of due process and justice, which ensures that justice is served while respecting the principles of compassion and mercy,” the ISPR concluded.
The following people have had their sentences remitted:
Muhammad Ayaz, son of Sahibzada Khan
- Sami Ullah, son of Meer Dad Khan
- Laeeq Ahmed, son of Manzoor Ahmed
- Amjad Ali, son of Manzoor Ahmed
- Yasir Nawaz, son of Ameer Nawaz Khan
- Said Alam, son of Maaz Ullah Khan
- Zahid Khan, son of Muhammad Nabi
- Muhammad Suleman, son of Said Ghani Jan
- Hamza Sharif, son of Muhammad Azam
- Muhammad Salman, son of Zahid Nisar
- Asher Butt, son of Muhammad Arshad Butt
- Muhammad Waqas, son of Malik Muhammad Khalil
- Sufayan Idrees, son of Idrees Ahmed
- Muneeb Ahmed, son of Naveed Ahmed Butt
- Muhammad Ahmed, son of Muhammad Nazir
- Muhammad Nawaz, son of Abdul Samad
- Muhammad Ali, son of Muhammad Boota
- Muhammad Bilawal, son of Manzoor Hussain
- Muhammad Ilyas, son of Muhammad Fazal Haleem
In December, military courts sentenced another 60 civilians to prison terms for their roles in violent attacks on military installations during the May 9, 2023 nationwide riots.
The sentences come days after the ISPR announced that 25 civilians had been sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the same events.
The individuals have been convicted for their involvement in violent attacks on key military and government facilities, including the Corps Commander House in Lahore, the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the ISI office in Faisalabad and Bannu Cantt, among others ISPR. listed.
“The successor to the publication of the sentences on May 9 in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Field General Court Martial has announced the sentences for the following remaining 60 guilty parties after examining all the evidence, ensuring the delivery of all legal rights to the convicted, the completion of due process and appropriate legal procedures,” the statement said.
The statement further emphasized that all convicted persons have the legal right to appeal as outlined by the country’s laws.
The military’s media wing said the trial has been completed against nine additional accused persons in the May 9 cases.
The May 9 riots were sparked by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case last year, which led to widespread protests across the country.
These protests turned violent, resulting in attacks on both government and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Lahore Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) and other important locations throughout the country.
Initially, military trials related to the riots were put on hold following a Supreme Court ruling. But last month, the court’s Constitutional Court ordered the resumption of those trials and ordered that cases that had been delayed due to the earlier ruling be completed.
