RAWALPINDI: Hassan Khan Niazi, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, is among 60 individuals sentenced by the military court for their roles in the May 9 riots. The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced the verdict on Thursday.
The Field General Court Martial conducted a detailed examination of evidence and ensured the provision of all legal rights before issuing the sentences. Legal processes were completed thoroughly, as stated in the ISPR press release. All convicted individuals retain the right to appeal, as guaranteed by Pakistan’s Constitution.
This development follows the December 21 sentencing of 25 civilians to rigorous imprisonment for periods ranging from two to 10 years for attacking military installations. Concerns about the military court’s decisions were raised by the US, UK, and EU, citing alleged violations of international law.
In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office clarified that the judgments were made under laws passed by Parliament and aligned with Supreme Court rulings. FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards.
Brigadier (retd) Waqar Hassan highlighted the need to prosecute those who orchestrated the May 9 riots. He claimed that rioters received instructions from foreign sources, including the US and UK, to target military facilities. He emphasized the importance of holding masterminds accountable.
National security expert Syed Muhammad Ali dismissed claims of rushed sentences, noting that due care was taken to ensure justice. He stated, “No constitutional or international law allows attacks on state institutions.” He also criticized Western nations for their double standards, questioning their actions during the war on terror.
List of Convictions Issued by the Military Court:
- Hassan Khan Niazi s/o Hafizullah Niazi —10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Mian Abbad Farooq s/o Amanat Ali — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Raees Ahmed s/o Shafi Ullah — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Arzam Junaid s/o Junaid Razzaq — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Ali Raza s/o Ghulam Mustafa — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Raja Danish s/o Raja Abdul Waheed — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in GHQ attack incident.
- Syed Hassan Shah s/o Asif Hussain Shah — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in GHQ attack incident.
- Ali Hussain s/o Khalil ur Rehman — seven years rigorous imprisonment, involved in AIMH Rawalpindi attack incident.
- Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PRC Mardan incident.
- Sohrab Khan s/o Riaz Khan — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in HQ Dir Scouts Timergara incident.
- Brig (retd) Javed Akram s/o Chaudhary Muhammad Akarm — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Khuram Liaqat s/o Liaqat Ali Shahid — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Multan Cantt Checkpost incident.
- Zakir Hussain s/o Shah Faisal — seven years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Chakdara Fort incident.
- Ameen Shah s/o Mashter Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Fahim Sajid s/o Muhammad Khan — eight years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident.
- Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Muhammad Arslan s/o Muhammad Siraj — seven years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Muhammad Umair s/o Abdul Sattar — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Noman Shah s/o Mehmood Ahmad Shah — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Ikram Ullah s/o Khanzada Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Pirzada Mian Muhammad Ishaq Bhutta s/o Pirzada Mian Qamar ud Dind Bhutta — three years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Multan Cantt Checkpost incident.
- Muhammad Abdullah s/o Kanwar Ashraf Khan — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in GHQ attack.
- Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Muhammad Raheem s/o Naeem Khan — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Ehsan Ullah Khan s/o Najeeb Ullah Khan — 10 years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident.
- Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Sami Ullah s/o Meer dad Khan, two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Mian Muhammad Akram Usman s/o Mian Muhammad Usman — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Mudassir Hafiz s/o Hafeez Ullah — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Sajjad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Iqbal — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Khizar Hayat s/o Umar Qiyaz Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Muhammad Bilal s/o Muhammad Afzal — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in PAF Base Mianwali incident.
- Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in HQ Dir Scouts Timergara incident.
- Asad Ullah Durani s/o Badshah Zada — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in HQ Dir Scouts Timergara incident.
- Ikram Ullah s/o Shah Zaman — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Chakdara Fort incident.
- Muhammad Farrukh s/o Shams Tabriz — five years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Waqas Ali s/o Muhammad Ashraf — six years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Ameer Zohaib s/o Nazeer Ahmed Sheikh — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Farhad Khan s/o Shahid Hussain — seven years rigorous imprisonment, involved in AIMH Rawalpindi incident.
- Izzat Khan s/o Awal Khan — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in HQ Dir Scouts Timergara incident.
- Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Saqlain Haider s/o Rafiullah Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Hamid Ali s/o Syed Hadi Shah — three years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Multan Cantt Checkpost incident.
- Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Izzat Gul s/o Mirdat Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Haider Majeed s/o Muhammad Majeed — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Gp Capt Viqas Ahmed Mohsin (Retd) s/o Bashir Ahmed Mohsin — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Jinnah House incident.
- Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in HQ Dir Scouts Timergara incident.
- Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Main Gate FC Cantt Peshawar incident.
- Raees Ahmed s/o Khaista Rehman — four years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Chakdara Fort incident.
- Gohar Rehman s/o Gul Rehman — seven years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Chakdara Fort incident.
- Naik Muhammad s/o Nasrullah Jan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Fahad Imran s/o Muhammad Imran Shahid — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in ISI Office Faisalabad incident.
- Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed — two years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Rahwali Gate Gujaranwala incident.
- Raheem Ullah s/o Bait Ullah — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Khalid Nawaz s/o Hamid Khan — nine years rigorous imprisonment, involved in Bannu Cantt incident.
- Other notable sentences include Brigadier (retd) Javed Akram (six years for the Jinnah House incident), Khuram Liaqat (four years for the Multan Cantt Checkpost incident), and Ehsan Ullah Khan (10 years for the PAF Base Mianwali incident).
The military court imposed varying sentences, ranging from two to 10 years, based on the gravity of the crimes. Convictions involved attacks on military locations like Bannu Cantt, Chakdara Fort, and ISI offices.
The military trials mark the conclusion of legal proceedings for individuals detained under military custody for their involvement in the May 9 riots. Authorities assert that due process and legal rights were fully observed.