Imran Khan’s nephew, the former prime minister, was arrested in May 2023, and two veterans were among those jailed for attacks on military facilities.
A military court in Pakistan has sentenced 60 civilians to prison terms of between two and 10 years in connection with attacks on military facilities following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023.
Those sentenced Thursday included Mr. Khan’s relatives and two military veterans.
Last week, 25 other people were sentenced for the same crime.
“The nation, the government and the armed forces remain steadfast in their resolve to uphold justice and ensure that the inalienable writ of the nation is upheld.”The military’s ISPR media arm added on Thursday that the court-martial had concluded.
Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023 sparked nationwide protests and set a precedent for the powerful Pakistan military, which has directly ruled the South Asian country for decades and still wields enormous influence. In response, people attacked and looted military facilities.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) announced that his nephew was among those convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
“The implementation of trials in military courts undermines the fundamental rights of the people,” Khan was quoted as saying by the party on X.
mounting criticism
The ruling prompted supporters of Mr. Khan to believe that military tribunals would play a more prominent role in cases involving the former leader, who faces multiple charges, including inciting attacks on the country’s armed forces. There are concerns that this may be the case.
The international community has also expressed concern about the sentencing. The United States said it was “deeply concerned” and Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that trying civilians in military tribunals “lacks transparency and independent oversight and undermines the right to a fair trial.” he pointed out.
The European Union also criticized the ruling, saying it was “inconsistent with Pakistan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
Pakistan’s information minister said in a press conference on Wednesday that a military tribunal sentence is a fair trial because defendants have access to lawyers and their families and have the opportunity to appeal twice before both military tribunals and military tribunals. He stated that the right to receive medical treatment was not infringed upon. Relevant Civil High Court.
Mr. Khan’s supporters have denied any wrongdoing, and Mr. Khan has said the case against him is politically motivated.
The military and government deny any mistreatment of Mr. Khan or his supporters.
Khan’s detention in May 2023 lasted several days, but he was rearrested three months later and has remained jailed ever since, as he faces a number of trials.
The 72-year-old was barred from standing in February’s election, which was marred by fraud allegations.
Meanwhile, the PTI was targeted in a sweeping crackdown following the uprising, with thousands of its grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested.
A new government was formed by a coalition of political parties considered to be close to the military.
