Constitutional bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan sets January 7 hearing on military courts case

Islamabad: According to ARY News, the constitutional bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court has set January 7 as the hearing date for the case involving the military courts.

The cause list that was made public indicates that the bench will hear cases from January 7 to January 10. The panel will consider petitions against military court decisions on January 7.

Appeals against the cancellation of civilian trials held by military tribunals will continue to be heard by a seven-member panel presided over by Justice Aminuddin. The upcoming hearings also include situations pertaining to missing individuals and the reinstatement of student unions.

On October 23, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to try civilians in military tribunals for their suspected involvement in assaults on army posts during the riots that broke out after PTI leader Imran Khan was arrested, according to ARY News.

Meanwhile, 19 prisoners convicted of participating in the May 9, 2023, riots that broke out after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested have been pardoned by military tribunals.

According to ARY News, which cited Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the prisoners exercised their legal rights and submitted requests for compassion, after which the court decided to pardon them in compliance with the law.

Following the fulfillment of procedures, the prisoners will be freed from the jail. The ISPR emphasized the ability of prisoners to appeal and stated that the other compassion pleas would also be examined.
While attending a hearing in a corruption case at the Islamabad High Court, Imran Khan was taken into custody on May 9, 2023. Khan was accused of accepting illicit gifts and assets from other nations while serving as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

Following Imran Khan’s incarceration, his followers and party members staged massive demonstrations across Pakistan to call for his release.

The army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali air base, and other civic and military facilities were destroyed and demolished by PTI demonstrators. Along with blocking highways and burning cars, the demonstrators also engaged in combat with security and law enforcement.

Due to their participation in the riots, almost 5,000 individuals were detained and prosecuted under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other crimes. According to ARY News, the government also claimed to have proof of Khan’s participation and accused him of being the mastermind behind the assaults.

The recent conviction of 25 civilians by military tribunals for their involvement in the countrywide riots had already raised concerns in the United States. Concerns were raised when 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members were given jail sentences ranging from two to ten years by a military court for their involvement in the May 9, 2023, riots.