19 Convicts from May 9 Riots Granted Pardon, 48 Mercy Pleas Still Under Review: ISPR

Nineteen convicts involved in the May 9 riots in Pakistan have been granted pardons, as announced by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

All individuals pardoned were serving two-year sentences for their roles in the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The release of these convicts will occur after the completion of procedural formalities.

This decision comes amid proceedings regarding 48 other mercy pleas related to similar cases. The military courts had previously sentenced a total of 85 civilians for their involvement in the May 9 events, with prison terms ranging from two to ten years.

The ISPR emphasized that all convicts retain the right to appeal and pursue other legal recourses as guaranteed by the Constitution.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

It added that the mercy petitions of remaining convicts will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process.

Those whose punishment has been remitted include:

1. Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan
2. Sami Ullah s/o Meer dad Khan
3. Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed
4. Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed
5. Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan
6. Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan
7. Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi
8. Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan
9. Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam
10. Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar
11. Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt
12. Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil
13. Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed
14. Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt
15. Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir
16. Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad
17. Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota
18. Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain
19. Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem