ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military on Thursday announced it had accepted the mercy petitions of 19 convicts involved in the May 9, 2023, violence, granting remission of their punishments “purely on humanitarian grounds,” according to an official statement.
Last month, a military court sentenced 85 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their roles in the riots, during which supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan were accused of attacking military facilities.
The violence, sparked by Khan’s brief arrest in a corruption case, saw hundreds storming military and government installations, including the torching of a top commander’s house.
The trials, held under the Pakistan Army Act, included convictions of two former military officers, Brig. (retired) Javed Akram and Captain (retired) Viqas Ahmed Mohsin, as well as Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi.
The military had initiated trials for over 100 individuals following the violence.
“A total of 67 convicts have given their mercy petitions,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in its statement. “48 petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal, while petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted purely on humanitarian grounds, in accordance with the law.”
“Mercy petitions of the remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process,” it added.
The military shared a list of the individuals whose petitions had been approved, adding that they would be released after completing procedural formalities.
The trials and convictions raised concerns that Khan himself could face prosecution under the Pakistan Army Act, with charges including treason and inciting mutiny in the military.
The former premier, jailed for over a year, has denied these allegations and multiple other charges, describing them as politically motivated attempts to sideline him from power.
Khan, however, faces accusations of orchestrating the May 9 riots, a claim he has consistently rejected. He remains imprisoned in a high-security facility in Rawalpindi.
“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 ISPR said.
It also noted the military had released 20 convicts last year in April on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with law.
