Rawalpindi, December 21,2024: The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has termed the sentences handed down to perpetrators of the May 9 riots as a stern warning against taking the law into one’s hands.
In a statement addressing the sentencing of 25 individuals involved in the violent events, ISPR emphasized that May 9, 2023, witnessed politically instigated acts of violence and arson that marked a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history. The ISPR noted that the attacks, driven by a pre-orchestrated narrative of hate and lies, targeted military installations, including memorials of martyrs. These violent actions were a source of profound grief for the entire nation.
The military’s statement highlighted that the events of May 9 underscored the necessity of preventing political terrorism and the imposition of personal agendas through violence. Following the tragic incidents, extensive investigations were conducted, gathering irrefutable evidence against those involved.
Some cases were referred to Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for trial under due process, while others await verdicts. On December 13, 2024, a seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court directed the resolution of pending cases related to the events. The ISPR declared the sentences a significant milestone in delivering justice. They serve as a clear message to individuals vulnerable to exploitation by vested interests or propaganda. The military stressed that these sentences are a deterrent, ensuring that no one dares to take the law into their own hands in the future.
Many cases are still under trial in various anti-terrorism courts. True justice, the statement added, will only be achieved when the masterminds and planners behind May 9 face accountability under the Constitution and the law. The government remains committed to upholding state authority by ensuring justice for these tragic events.
The ISPR also emphasized that justice in the May 9 case will put an end to the destructive politics of violence and division. It reiterated that all convicted individuals retain the right to appeal and pursue legal remedies in accordance with the Constitution and law.
This decisive approach, the statement concluded, will negate hatred, misinformation, and unwarranted propaganda, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to justice and the rule of law.
