Civilians trial in military courts: FO says verdicts made under law enacted by Parliament of Pakistan

Pakistan Foreign Office’s (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Tuesday said recent verdicts by military courts against civilians arrested in connection with May 9 riots were made “under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan”.

FO spokesperson’s statement came hours after the US Department of State showed concern over trial of civilians by military courts in Pakistan.

Last week, military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during nationwide riots in May 2023.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), military’s media wing, described the verdicts as “an important milestone in dispensation of justice”.

However, the United States, the European Union (EU), and the United Kingdom (UK) reacted to the trial of civilians by military courts in Pakistan and asked Islamabad to respect the right to a fair trial and due process.

“Pakistan is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in Tuesday’s statement.

“Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

“Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” she further said.

On May 9, 2023, following arrest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan from the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC), PTI supporters thronged the streets in protest.

Several protesters were later arrested in connection with damages to several military and state installations, including the Corps Commander’s residence (Jinnah House) in Lahore and the gates of the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Last year, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the military trials of civilians who were arrested following Imran Khan’s arrest null and void.

However, earlier this month, the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench conditionally allowed military courts to announce reserved verdicts of 85 civilians who were in custody for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.