Pro-Imran riots in Pakistan: Mercy pleas of 19 accepted, says army; 85 stand convicted

The mercy petitions of 19 convicts involved in the May 9 pro-Imran Khan riots in Pakistan have been accepted on humanitarian grounds, according to a Dawn report, citing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.

The development comes less than a month after military courts sentenced 85 civilians for their roles in the May 9 riots.

On December 21 last year, military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms between two and 10 years for their involvement in the May 9 riots. A week later, an additional 60 civilians received jail terms of two to 10 years for participating in the nationwide unrest.

“Sequel to the promulgation of punishments to 9th May Tragedy convicts, they have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy/remission in their punishments,” Dawn quoted the statement issued by the army on Thursday as saying.

“A total of 67 convicts have given their mercy petitions,” it said, adding that 48 petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal, while petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted “purely on humanitarian grounds, under the law.”

“Mercy petitions of remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process,” added the statement.

On May 9, 2023, former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters allegedly attacked several military installations, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the ISI building in Faisalabad, to vent their anger against the arrest of their party founder in a corruption case.

Hundreds of suspects were arrested in the countrywide swoop. Cases of more than 100 civilians were sent to the military court for trial because they were involved in the attack on military installations.

In December, military courts sentenced 85 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their roles in the violence.

“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 added.

The army said that all those whose mercy appeals had been accepted would be released after the completion of procedural formalities.

It also said that all those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the constitution.

It is the second batch of those involved in the attacks being released. Earlier in April 2024, the release of 20 convicts was also carried out on humanitarian grounds in accordance with the law.

With inputs from agencies