KARACHI, Pakistan -- Pakistani military courts have sentenced 25 people for their part in attacks on military facilities in May 2023.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan's armed forces, said in a statement on December 21 that 25 defendants were given sentences ranging from two to 10 years.
On May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in a fraud case, supporters of Khan's party, Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), attacked and damaged military installations, mosques, and government buildings in cities across Pakistan. Several people were killed and dozens injured in the unrest.
In its statement, the military's media wing described the sentences as an "important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation."
It added that May 9, 2023 was a sad day for the country, and it would be officially commemorated every year.
SEE ALSO: Deepening Political Crisis Pushes Pakistan Toward The Breaking PointIn response to the verdicts, PTI wrote on the X social network that the military courts have violated the defendants' constitutional and human rights.
Khan's party has said the judicial process is not transparent and about 80 people have been in military custody since the unrest, their fundamental rights violated.
Supporters of the imprisoned former prime minister, who is accused of inciting attacks against the armed forces, have expressed concerns that military rather than civilian courts are trying some of the cases. They have staged months of protests to demand Khan's release.
PTI says its members and supporters did not attack military or government buildings on May 9, 2023.
Last year, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that civilians should be tried in civilian courts, not military courts. However, on December 13, the Supreme Court suspended the decision and allowed military courts to hear civilian cases.
Others charged over the violence are being tried in anti-terrorism courts.
PTI regularly campaigns against corruption and nepotism in Pakistan but has been accused of populism and authoritarian tendencies centered around its charismatic leader Khan.