ISLAMABAD, Dec 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Pakistan military courts have convicted 
and sentenced 25 people for involvement in pro-Imran Khan unrest last year, 
the armed forces said Saturday, with the majority handed decade-long prison 
terms.

Ex-prime minister Khan was arrested in May 2023 after being ousted from 
office and mounting an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the 
nation's powerful military leaders.

His detention over graft allegations sparked nationwide unrest, some 
targeting armed forces installations, and prompting rare prosecutions of 
civilians in military courts.

Amnesty International called the move "an intimidation tactic, designed to 
crack down on dissent".

Military courts are largely opaque, but after months of confidentiality the 
military public relations wing named 25 people who have been prosecuted.

All of the convicted are men and 14 have been sentenced to a decade of 
"rigorous imprisonment", with the remaining 11 set to serve lesser prison 
terms.

A military statement did not make clear what crime each person had been 
convicted of, listing only the location of their offence.

It said during the May 2023 unrest Pakistan "witnessed tragic incidents of 
politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places".

"These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also 
underscored necessity of checking this unacceptable attempt of political 
terrorism."

Former cricket star Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he 
was ousted by parliament in a no confidence vote.

He blamed the then-head of the powerful military establishment for his 
downfall. Pakistan's generals are considered the country's political 
kingmakers and have directly ruled the nation for decades at a time.

Khan's May 2023 detention lasted a matter of days but he was re-arrested 
three months later and has remained imprisoned since, facing a parade of 
court cases he claims are politically motivated.

Meanwhile his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was targeted by a sweeping 
crackdown following the unrest, with thousands of grassroots supporters and 
senior officials arrested.

The 72-year-old was barred from running in February elections, which were 
marred by rigging allegations.

PTI defied the crackdown to win more seats than any other party, but a 
coalition of parties considered more pliable to military influence formed a 
government and shut them out of power.

Last month, fresh protests and unrest gripped the capital Islamabad as 
thousands of PTI supporters attempted to occupy a public square on the 
doorstep of parliament before retreating.