The Supreme Court of Pakistan will conduct hearings on the military courts case from January 7 to January 10.
The constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin, will review petitions challenging the legality of military court decisions, with a primary focus on appeals against the civilian trials annulled by these courts. Additionally, cases related to missing persons and the revival of student unions are on the docket.
In a significant ruling on October 23, 2023, the Supreme Court declared that prosecuting civilians in military courts for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations, following PTI chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, was unconstitutional.
Separately, military courts have pardoned 19 individuals convicted for their role in the May 9, 2023 riots, which erupted after Imran Khan’s detention. The convicts, having submitted mercy petitions, were granted clemency, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Their release will follow the completion of necessary legal procedures.
The ISPR further noted that pending mercy pleas will also be reviewed, emphasizing the convicts’ right to appeal.
Case History
The unrest on May 9, 2023, was sparked by Imran Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court during a corruption hearing. Khan, who served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, faced accusations of unlawfully acquiring gifts and assets from foreign sources.
His arrest led to widespread protests by PTI supporters, who targeted several public and military facilities, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore, and the Mianwali airbase. The demonstrations turned violent, resulting in extensive property damage and confrontations with law enforcement. More than 5,000 individuals were detained, many of whom were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Authorities accused Imran Khan of masterminding the unrest.
International bodies, including the United States, have voiced concerns about the use of military courts to try civilians. This criticism intensified after 25 PTI activists were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2-10 years for their involvement in the May 9 riots.
