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 Justice Manzar Ali Gul at Kot Lakhpat jail, where the accused denied all charges.
Other accused include PTI leaders Sanam Javed and others.
This case follows the violent protests on May 9, 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, leaving at least eight people dead and 290 injured.
Law enforcement subsequently arrested 1,900 people across the country for their alleged involvement in the unrest. Cases were also filed against Imran Khan, party leaders and workers.
19 people found guilty of May 9 riots granted pardon: ISPR
Last week, pardon applications filed by 19 people convicted for their involvement in the May 9 protests were approved, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“Following the promulgation of the sentences imposed on the convicts for the May 9 tragedy, they exercised their right to appeal and requested pardon/remission of their sentences,” the military’s media wing said.
The ISPR further said that a total of 67 convicts had submitted mercy petitions, of which 48 were taken to the appellate courts. He added that the requests of 19 convicts had been accepted “for purely humanitarian reasons, in accordance with the law.”
“They will all be released after the completion of procedural formalities,” the statement continued.
The press release also mentions that the requests for pardon of the other convicts will be decided in due time, following the legal proceedings. He stressed that all those found guilty retained their right to appeal and pursue other legal remedies in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
“The remission of sentences demonstrates the strength of due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is done while taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy,” the ISPR concluded.
The following people 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 60 additional civilians to prison terms for their roles in violent attacks on military installations during the May 9, 2023 nationwide riots.
These convictions come just days after the ISPR announced that 25 civilians had been sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the same events.
The individuals were convicted for their involvement in violent attacks on key military and government installations, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore, the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the ISI office in Faisalabad and Bannu Cantt, among others, the ISPR. declared.
“Following the announcement of the sanctions on May 9 in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Field General Court Martial promulgated the sanctions against the following 60 remaining culprits after considering all the evidence, ensuring the granting of full legal rights to the convicts, completion of due process and appropriate judicial procedures,” the statement said.
The statement further emphasizes that all those convicted have the legal right to appeal, as provided for in the country’s law.
Army media said proceedings against nine other defendants in the May 9 cases had been completed.
The May 9 riots were sparked by the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case last year, sparking widespread protests across the country.
These protests turned violent, leading to attacks on public and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore (Jinnah House) and other key sites across the country.
Initially, military trials related to the riots were suspended following a Supreme Court ruling. However, last month, the court’s constitutional bench ordered the resumption of these trials, directing that cases that had been delayed due to the previous order be concluded.
