Pakistan: 60 more civilians sentenced to jail for violent attacks on military sites during nationwide riots

According to the Express Tribune, which cited a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday, Pakistani military tribunals have sentenced 60 more civilians to jail for their suspected roles in violent assaults on military installations during the May 9, 2023, countrywide riots.

The Express Tribune reports that this comes after the ISPR had said that 25 people had been found guilty of their involvement in the same occurrences. Hassan Niazi, the nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, was one of the 60 individuals condemned. Niazi was sentenced to ten years in jail.

The convictions are related to suspected assaults on important government and military installations, including Bannu Cantt, the ISI office in Faisalabad, the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and the Corps Commander House in Lahore.

The ISPR statement also emphasized that all convicted people had the legal right to appeal and said that the Field General Court Martial handed down the punishments after “reviewing all evidence” and making sure that legal rights were maintained during the proceedings.

“Sequel to the announcement of the May 9 punishments in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the Field General Court Martial has promulgated the punishments to the following remaining 60 culprits after examining all evidence, ensuring the provision of all legal rights to the convicts, completion of due process, and the appropriate legal proceedings,” the Express Tribune reported on the statement.

Proceedings against nine other participants in the May 9 disturbances were also concluded, according to the military’s media wing.

“The nation, government, and armed forces remain resolute in their commitment to ensuring justice and upholding the inviolable authority of the state,” according to the ISPR.

Following similar remarks from the European Union (EU), the US and the UK expressed alarm over the conviction of civilians by Pakistani military tribunals.

The US State Department criticized the absence of judicial independence, openness, and due process in the use of military courts for civilian sentences, expressing grave concerns. The United States urged Pakistani officials to uphold the Constitution’s promise of a fair trial.

According to the US, “these military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees,” as recorded by the Express Tribune. “The US continues to call on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution,” the statement said.

The right to a fair trial is also compromised by military trials of civilians, according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCO), which said that these proceedings lacked independent monitoring and transparency.

According to the Express Tribune, the FCO statement added, “We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

The EU has previously voiced concerns over the convictions of civilians by the military court, highlighting the inconsistency of the findings with Pakistan’s pledges to provide a fair and public trial. Pakistan’s commitment to the GSP+ trade program, which necessitates the application of fundamental international agreements, includes its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the EU statement said.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels released a statement that said, “The European Union notes with concern the sentencing of twenty-five civilians by a military court on 21 December in Pakistan.”

“These verdicts are seen as inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” said the statement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office responded by stating that the military court rulings were in line with the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision and a statute that was enacted by Parliament. Pakistan is totally committed to fulfilling its international human rights duties, the official said.