Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned the sentencing of its workers and supporters by military courts and said that the cases of civilians should be tried in civilian courts.
“A judicial commission should be constituted to investigate the May 9 incidents and November 26 crackdown on PTI protesters,” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Thursday.
The remarks came shortly after a military court sentenced another 60 “criminals” to prison for their involvement in the May 9 riots, bringing the total number of convicts to 85.
“Consequent to the announcement of the sentences on May 9 in the light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Field General Court Martial, after examining all the evidence, has completed the following remaining 60 Criminals have been sentenced. Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
According to the army’s media wing, Hasan Khan Niazi, nephew of PTI founder Imran Khan, was among the two men who were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
While calling for the conclusion of military trials in military custody of all accused involved in the May 9 riots, the ISPR noted that all convicted persons retain the right of appeal and other legal remedies, as per the Constitution and the law. Guaranteed.
The international community, including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU), expressed concern over the sentences handed down to civilians by military courts, saying that the sentences are against international law.
Speaking to reporters today, PTI’s Barrister Gauhar said that individual appeals would also be filed against these convictions, urging the Supreme Court to decide the military trial case soon.
Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Umar Ayub said that Khan has also condemned the punishments of civilians by the military courts. said that they cannot punish the citizens.
“Article 7 of the Constitution contains the definition of the State. […] He said that Parliament, Provincial Assemblies, National Assembly and Senate are the state, adding that the army and other institutions are subordinate to the state.
Ayub added that the military cannot act as a judiciary, stressing that civilians should be tried in civilian courts.
The FO reaction
Responding to concerns raised by foreign countries, the Foreign Office (FO) had said a day earlier that the decisions of the military courts were made under the law made by the Parliament and in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “Pakistan is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations.”
He said that Pakistan’s legal system is compatible with international human rights law, including the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
“It contains remedies of judicial review by superior courts and guarantees the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
The spokesperson added that Islamabad believes in constructive and productive dialogue for the promotion of principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law. “We are fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus scheme and core international human rights conventions.”
Violent protests erupted after PTI founder Imran Khan was detained in a corruption case. As a result, several party workers were arrested and more than 100 civilians are facing military trials.
However, the party founded by Khan maintained that he had no role in incidents involving military installations, including the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), and has called for a judicial probe into last year’s incidents.