Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has stated that attacks on military installations will be tried in military courts and urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to refrain from politicizing or disputing the matter.
During a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, he criticized the PTI for using military courts as a political tool, with the aim of creating controversy around them. He clarified that military courts only deal with cases related to attacks on defense establishments, citing incidents such as the attacks on the Corps Commander’s House, Mardan and Bala Hisar.
“When an attack is carried out against a defense institution or its property is set on fire, it is up to the competent authorities to arrest the culprits. Just as the railway police deal with crimes committed on railway facilities, military courts deal with crimes against military assets. So, when attacks on military assets occur, Military Law applies,” he explained.
While highlighting the change in PTI’s stance, he recalled that during Imran Khan’s tenure, trials before military courts were praised. “The statements of the PTI leadership praising the military courts are still available on social media. However, now, the same individuals are lobbying internationally against these courts,” Tarar said.
The Minister of Information assured that military trials respect the principles of a fair trial. “Defendants are granted the right to counsel, meetings with their families, and the right to appeal. Trials take place in the physical presence of the accused. Furthermore, decisions can be appealed either within the framework of military justice or through the Superior Court,” he stated.
Tarar dismissed accusations of injustice in the military trials, stating that no law, national or international, was violated. He asked the PTI to stop politicizing the issue, use the available right of appeal mechanisms and recognize the events of May 9 as a serious mistake. “Unfortunately, some members of the PTI still justify the actions of that day,” he concluded.
