Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the sentences handed down by military courts to civilians, with party leader Omar Ayub asserting that military courts lack the jurisdiction to try or sentence civilians.
In a tweet, Omar Ayub condemned the verdicts against PTI detainees, calling them a violation of justice.
The opposition leader in the National Assembly emphasized that the detainees are ordinary citizens who cannot be tried by military courts, labeling such courts as “kangaroo courts” that undermine the principles of justice.
“Military courts are not legitimate judicial bodies within the state’s judicial framework. The armed forces are part of the administrative apparatus, not the judiciary,” Ayub said.
He further argued that the establishment of military courts violates judicial independence and the constitutional principle of separation of powers, weakening the core values of the Constitution.
Former Speaker of the National Assembly and PTI leader Asad Qaiser also condemned the military court decisions, calling them a violation of fundamental human rights.
“These trials fail to meet basic standards of justice,” Qaiser said, expressing his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s stance on the matter and vowing to continue the fight for justice.
“Citizens have been stripped of their basic rights. When courts are compromised, public trust diminishes, leading to widespread despair. The paralysis of the judicial system is a tragic situation for the country,” he added.
Qaiser reaffirmed PTI’s commitment to challenging the military court verdicts and seeking justice through peaceful and legal means.
Earlier today, military courts sentenced 25 civilians to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in violent attacks on military installations during the nationwide riots in May 2023.
According to the military’s media wing (ISPR), the Field General Court Martial sentenced the 25 individuals in the first phase, following a comprehensive review of evidence and the completion of due legal processes.
“The convicted individuals, who were involved in attacks on key military sites such as Jinnah House, General Headquarters (GHQ), and Pakistan Air Force Base Mianwali, received rigorous imprisonment, with 14 individuals receiving 10-year terms and others receiving shorter sentences,” the statement read.
In describing the significance of the verdicts, the ISPR called the sentences an “important milestone” in delivering justice to the nation. “It serves as a stark reminder to those manipulated by vested interests and political propaganda that they must never take the law into their own hands in the future,” the statement concluded.
