Islamabad, Dec 26 (EFE).– Pakistan’s military court has sentenced 60 more civilians, including supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, to up to 10 years in prison for their involvement in attacks on military facilities in May 2023.
Over the weekend, the same court sentenced 25 PTI members to similar prison terms for the same attacks.
The newly sentenced suspects include Hassan Niazi, Khan’s nephew, who received a 10 years in prison for attacking the residence of a top military commander in Lahore on May 9, 2023.
In a statement on Thursday, the military’s media wing said the Field General Court Martial delivered the sentences after reviewing all evidence, ensuring the convicts’ legal rights were upheld, and completing the due process and legal proceedings.
The statement noted that all convicts have the right to appeal, as guaranteed by Pakistan’s constitution and law.
The previous sentencing of 25 civilians drew significant international criticism.
The European Union (EU), the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK) all raised concerns about the lack of transparency and independent scrutiny in military court convictions, questioning the fairness of the trials.
The EU expressed «concern» and noted that the verdicts appeared inconsistent with Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights” (ICCPR).
The EU also reminded Pakistan of its beneficiary status under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which allows duty-free access to European markets for Pakistani exports.
Analysts in Pakistan viewed the GSP+ reference as a warning that failure to meet international human rights standards could jeopardize this trade benefit.
The US echoed similar concerns, criticizing the lack of judicial independence in military tribunals.
The UK also raised concerns, emphasizing that trying civilians in military courts undermines the right to a fair trial and lacks transparency.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the criticisms, asserting that Islamabad is fully committed to meeting its international human rights obligations.
In May 2023, the PTI supporters targeted key government buildings, monuments, and military installations, including the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the residence of a senior military officer in Lahore, setting many of these sites ablaze.
Khan and his party claim the violence was a “false flag” operation orchestrated by the military to create a pretext for cracking down on PTI supporters, a charge the military denies. EFE
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