Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced challenging the sentences handed down by military courts to individuals involved in the “May 9 rioters.” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that “the trial of civilians in military courts is a blatant violation of justice.”
“An independent judicial commission should be established to investigate the May 9 incidents and the crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26,” he said on Thursday.
Gohar further mentioned that in recent days, 60 more individuals had been sentenced by military courts, bringing the total to 85. He emphasized that all legal rights were provided to the convicts, and all legal processes were followed.
PTI leader Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, is among those who were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, argued that “the military institution cannot function as a judiciary […] civilians should only face trials in civilian courts.”
He added, “The military institution operates under the state, and all institutions are under the state.” Omar Ayub stressed that civilian trials in military courts do not align with Article 7 of the Constitution.
The Federal Foreign Office stated that the decisions of military courts are in line with parliamentary laws and Supreme Court rulings. The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling its international legal obligations.
The entire issue escalated significantly after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a corruption case, leading to a large-scale crackdown on PTI workers.
