The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution calling for the immediate reversal of verdicts issued by military courts, with signatures from members of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) as well.
According to a report by Dawn News, the joint resolution was introduced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Abdul Salam Afridi, and it was also signed by PML-N MPA Jalala Khan.
The resolution states that, in accordance with the constitution and law, every citizen of the country has the right to a fair trial. It condemns the sentencing by military courts as an injustice, calling it an affront to justice. The resolution further states that the unconstitutional and biased decisions of the military courts have led to embarrassment for Pakistan on the international stage. The assembly also called on the federal government to immediately revoke these decisions.
This comes in the wake of military court sentences handed down to 85 individuals involved in the tragic events of May 9, 2023.
In a statement, the Pakistan Army’s spokesperson said that on May 9, the nation witnessed violent protests and destruction fueled by politically motivated provocation. These events, described as a dark chapter in Pakistan’s history, were followed by the gathering of irrefutable evidence against the perpetrators.
The statement emphasized that the verdicts delivered on May 9 were a crucial step in providing justice to the nation, sending a clear message to those who are exploited by a few self-interested individuals. It further stated that these sentences serve as a warning to those who are misled by political propaganda and falsehoods, urging them to refrain from taking the law into their own hands in the future.
The military’s spokesperson also noted that many of the accused are facing charges in various anti-terrorism courts, and that further sentencing will be announced once the legal processes for the other cases are completed.
Background: The violence erupted following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023, in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. PTI called for nationwide protests, which led to widespread destruction, including the burning of the PML-N office in Lahore’s Model Town and attacks on military, civilian, and private properties. At least eight people were killed, and 290 others were injured during the protests.
Protesters also attacked the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House, and broke down a gate at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. A total of 1,900 people were arrested for their involvement in the violence, while cases were filed against Imran Khan, his party leaders, and activists.
