The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has firmly denounced the military court sentences issued to over two dozen civilians following the violence on May 9 last year. The party considers these sentences unconstitutional and an infringement on the independence of the judiciary. PTI plans to contest the decisions made by what they term “kangaroo courts” in higher courts.
Omar Ayub Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and a senior PTI figure, criticized the military court’s actions, asserting, “The sentencing of civilians by military courts fundamentally contradicts justice and fairness.” He emphasized that the individuals in custody are ordinary citizens who should not be tried under military jurisdiction.
The Pakistan Army acknowledged that 25 individuals were convicted in connection with the May 9 riots, but Khan insisted that such military courts lack the legal authority to fulfill judicial roles within the state.
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The PTI statement further declared, “We strongly oppose the military courts’ sentencing, especially regarding PTI officials and workers detained by the military.” Khan reiterated that the armed forces should act as part of the state’s executive body, not its judiciary, and labeled the use of military courts for civilian matters as a threat to judicial independence and a breach of constitutional principles.
Additionally, senior PTI lawmaker Asad Qaiser condemned the military court verdicts, viewing them as a violation of fundamental human rights and justice principles. He noted that the trials lacked the necessary elements of natural justice, stating, “The military court decisions clearly violate basic human rights,” and vowed to challenge these outcomes wherever possible.
Qaiser expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s response to the situation, lamenting the erosion of citizens’ constitutional rights. He cautioned that such actions risk creating a climate of despair and alienation among the populace, eroding public trust in judicial institutions.
In a separate press conference, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja and senior leader Latif Khosa also criticized the military courts’ sentences, reiterating their stance on the decisions as entirely unconstitutional and unlawful while urging the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench to address the issue.
