RAWALPINDI: The military Courts of Appeal have remitted punishments to 19 convicts involved in the May 09 tragic incidents.
Sequel to the promulgation of punishments for the 9th May tragedy convicts, they have exercised their right to appeal and have asked for mercy/ remission in their punishments. A total of 67 convicts have given their mercy petitions, 48 petitions have been processed to Courts of Appeal while, petitions of 19 convicts have been accepted purely on humanitarian grounds, under the law, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said on Thursday.
Mercy petitions of the remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process. Those whose punishment has been remitted are: Muhammad Ayaz s/o Sahibzada Khan, Sami Ullah s/o Meer Dad Khan, Laeeq Ahmed s/o Manzoor Ahmed, Amjad Ali s/o Manzoor Ahmed, Yasir Nawaz s/o Ameer Nawaz Khan, Said Alam s/o Maaz Ullah Khan, Zahid Khan s/o Muhammad Nabi, Muhammad Suleman s/o Said Ghani Jan, Hamza Sharif s/o Muhammad Azam, Muhammad Salman s/o Zahid Nisar, Asher Butt s/o Muhammad Arshad Butt, Muhammad Waqas s/o Malik Muhammad Khalil, Sufayan Idrees s/o Idrees Ahmed, Muneeb Ahmed s/o Naveed Ahmed Butt, Muhammad Ahmed s/o Muhammad Nazir, Muhammad Nawaz s/o Abdul Samad, Muhammad Ali s/o Muhammad Boota, Muhammad Bilawal s/o Manzoor Hussain and Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem.
The Courts of Appeal has remitted two years of punishment for each of these convicts. They will all be released after completion of procedural formalities. All those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the Constitution. The remission of punishments is a testament to the strength of due process and fairness, which ensures that justice is served while also taking into account the principles of compassion and mercy, the ISPR said.
Earlier in April 2024, the release of 20 convicts was also carried out on humanitarian grounds under the law, the ISPR said. The Field General Court Martial had convicted 85 individuals involved in May 09 violent acts at the GHQ, Jinnah House, ISI Office Faisalabad and other military buildings and premises, it added.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta has welcomed the ISPR announcement accepting the clemency petitions. In a statement issued here, Atta said that the acceptance of clemency petitions was commendable adding that those responsible for addressing such sensitive issues had provided these individuals with an opportunity for a second chance. He further said that it was equally heartening to see that these individuals had acknowledged their serious mistakes and expressed regret, which led them to file these petitions. “We view this as a positive move toward lowering the political temperature amid the ongoing crises and polarisation,” the SCBA president said, adding that now it is crucial for political leaders to also demonstrate restraint, acknowledge their errors and take on a constructive role in advancing the country’s interests.
Referring to the second round of dialogue between the government and the opposition, he said that it is important for all parties to recognise that the only way forward is through dialogue, discussions, mutual respect, constructive engagement and political tolerance. “These elements are vital for fostering a strong and vibrant nation in terms of its economy, politics, democracy and security,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear important cases next week, commencing January 6, and has issued a cause list to be heard by the Constitutional Bench.
According to the cause list, a seven-member Constitutional Bench headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan would take up for a hearing on January 7, the intra court appeals (ICAs) filed by the government against the apex court judgement declaring trials of civilians in military courts unconstitutional. Other bench members include Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.
The Constitutional Bench would also take up for hearing petitions filed by PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and party leader Sher Afzal Marwat regarding a probe into alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections.
Likewise, the bench would also hear the case regarding the affectees of the 2005 earthquake, while on January 8, the bench would hear a case related to missing persons. It would also take up for hearing the review petition in Deputy Speaker Punjab’s ruling on January 9 and on January 10 the petition challenging the discretionary powers of high court chief justices and a petition against the ban on student unions.