The Military Courts of Appeal have granted remission to 19 individuals convicted for their involvement in the tragic May 9 incidents, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday. Following their convictions, the 67 individuals affected exercised their right to appeal and submitted mercy petitions. Of these, 48 petitions were processed through the Courts of Appeal, and 19 were accepted purely on humanitarian grounds.
The convicts whose sentences were reduced include Muhammad Ayaz, Sami Ullah, Laeeq Ahmed, Amjad Ali, Yasir Nawaz, Said Alam, Zahid Khan, Muhammad Suleman, Hamza Sharif, and others. Each of these 19 individuals has had two years remitted from their punishment, and they will be released after completing the necessary procedural formalities. The decision reflects the strength of due process and compassion, ensuring justice is met while considering mercy.
This remission follows a similar move earlier in April 2024, when 20 convicts were released under the same grounds. The individuals were convicted for their role in the May 9 violent events, which targeted key military sites including the GHQ, Jinnah House, and the ISI Office in Faisalabad.
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The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta has welcomed the decision, praising the clemency petitions as a step toward reconciliation. He noted that this move could help reduce political polarization, urging political leaders to also demonstrate restraint and work toward national unity.
In the coming week, the Supreme Court will hear significant cases, including appeals regarding military court trials for civilians, as well as petitions related to alleged election rigging, missing persons, and other critical issues.
