The sentences of 19 convicts involved in the May 9, 2023, tragedy have been pardoned.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the convicts had filed petitions for mercy and pardon during the implementation of their sentences for the May 9 incident.
As reported by Geo News and other channels on Thursday, a total of 67 convicts submitted mercy petitions. ISPR stated that 48 of these petitions were sent to the Courts of Appeal for legal review, while the petitions of 19 convicts were approved purely on humanitarian grounds in accordance with the law.
The remaining mercy petitions will be processed in accordance with the law within the designated timeframe.
On May 9, 2023, Pakistan witnessed one of the most significant and turbulent days in its political history. The day saw violent protests erupt across the country, triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The arrest followed a ruling by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on corruption charges, leading to widespread anger among his supporters, particularly from his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Khan’s detention sparked a wave of protests that quickly escalated into a full-blown crisis. Protesters stormed key government buildings, military establishments, and public infrastructure in multiple cities. The most notable incidents occurred in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, where rioters attacked and damaged government properties, including military headquarters, the residence of military officers, and private businesses.
The violence was unprecedented in its scale and intensity, with many protesters resorting to vandalism, setting fires, and clashing with security forces. The Pakistani Army, which plays a significant role in the country’s political and security landscape, was called in to restore order, and a curfew was imposed in several cities to prevent further violence.
