Military Court Sentences Contradict Constitution, PTI Announces Challenge

Lahore (Sahiwal Updates)

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has rejected the sentences handed down by military courts, declaring them to be in conflict with the constitution and the law, and announced their intention to challenge these decisions.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Umar Ayub Khan, in his response stated that the sentences issued by military courts are contrary to the constitution.

He rejected the decision to impose military court sentences on civilians, stating that such sentences violate the principles of justice.

The authorities are holding ordinary citizens as detainees, and they cannot try them in military courts.

Military courts that sentence ordinary citizens are essentially kangaroo courts. Military courts cannot legally be a part of the state’s judicial power.

The armed forces are a part of the state’s administrative authority; consequently, the establishment of such courts is against the independence of the judiciary, including for ordinary citizens.

Such decisions negate the fundamental constitutional principle of the separation of powers.

Umar Ayub Khan also referenced the Supreme Court’s PLD 1999/504 decision in his statement.

Furthermore, he highlighted its significance in shaping the legal context of the current issue.

The decision underscored the importance of upholding constitutional principles in the face of contemporary challenges.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, said that military courts violated fundamental human rights by not meeting the requirements of justice in these trials.

He condemned the decisions, stating they would be challenged on every forum.

He expressed disappointment with the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that the authorities have deprived citizens of their fundamental rights and that they have made the judicial system completely ineffective, which he described as a tragedy for the country.

PTI’s Secretary General, Salman Akram Raja, stated that they intend to present Imran Khan before military courts by reinstating military courts through a constitutional bench. Furthermore, he emphasized that this move is crucial to ensure justice and uphold the law in the country.

He warned that presenting the founder of PTI before military courts would mark a very dark day.

He appealed to the powers that be not to pursue this path, as it would make Pakistan the subject of ridicule worldwide.