The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans to challenge military court convictions of its workers and supporters, calling trials of civilians in military courts a “flagrant violation of justice.”
PTI Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan demanded formation of a judicial commission to probe the developments surrounding the May 9 riots and the crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26.
His comments came shortly after the military court sentenced 60 more people to prison for their role in the May 9 violence, bringing the total number of those convicted to 85.
The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed the sentences, noting that those convicted had received a fair trial with the opportunity to appeal.
Among those sentenced was PTI founder Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, who received a 10-year prison sentence. The ISPR clarified that the military court had ensured that the legal rights of the convicts were respected during the trial.
In response, Barrister Gohar announced that the PTI would file individual appeals against the sentences, urging the Supreme Court to urgently address the issue of military trials for civilians.
Opposition leader Omar Ayub echoes the position of the PTI, which criticized the military courts, stating that only civilian courts should have jurisdiction to sentence civilians according to the Constitution.
Ayub further noted that the army’s role is limited to defense, not judicial proceedings, and emphasized the need for civil trials in accordance with Pakistan’s constitutional framework.
