The petitions of 19 convicts involved in the May 9 cases have been accepted based on humanitarian grounds, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced in a statement on Thursday.

The development comes less than a month after military courts sentenced a total of 85 civilians involved in the May 9 riots of 2023. On December 21, the ISPR announced that 25 civilians were handed prison terms by military courts over the May 9 events. A week later, another 60 civilians were handed jail terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in the nationwide riots.

“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.”

“Mercy petitions of remaining will be decided in due course of time, following the legal process,” it said.

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
Muhammad Ilyas s/o Muhammad Fazal Haleem

The statement said that those whose petitions have been accepted shall be “released after the completion of procedural formalities.”

“All those convicted retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies as per the law and the constitution.”

The ISPR added: “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.”

On December 21 last year, the ISPR announced that 25 civilians were handed prison terms by military courts over the May 9 events. Meanwhile, on December 26, military courts sentenced another 60 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during nationwide riots on May 9 last year.

In April 2024, the release of 20 convicts was also carried out on humanitarian grounds following the law.