Islamabad [Pakistan], December 26 (ANI): Pakistani Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, on Wednesday accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of politicizing the issue of milit courts for political gain and fabricating baseless claims to obtain concessions, as reported by .
Tarar said that milit court sentences do not violate the right to a fair trial, as individuals have access to a lawyer, and family, and still have the opportunity to appeal twice — once within the milit and again in the relevant high court, reported.
He emphasized that international laws were followed in the trial of those involved in the May 9 tragedy, with no human rights violations. All the accused will be punished in accordance with the law, he added.
Tarar criticized PTI is falsely creating an “anti-country narrative” about the milit courts, which operate legally and in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, reported.
He explained that milit court trials are held when there is an attack on defence installations, such as the incidents at the Corps Commander House, Mardan, and Bala Hisar Fort, reported.
Tarar noted that when such attacks occur, it is the responsibility of the defence establishment to arrest the accused, similar to how the railway police would file an FIR for crimes committed on the railways.
These cases are prosecuted under the milit Act, ensuring a fair trial, with irrefutable evidence against the culprits. He added that the right to appeal the milit court’s decision is upheld and that PTI should utilize the legal remedies available to them, as reported by .
Tarar also reminded that PTI’s founder Imran Khan had previously praised the virtues of milit courts, underscoring the undeniable evidence against those tried and the importance of upholding the rule of law. He pointed out that clips of these statements are still circulating on social media.
The United States (US) had earlier expressed concern over the sentencing of 25 people by a milit court in Pakistan’s Islamabad after it found them guilty of targeting army installations.
United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a milit tribunal and calls upon Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process,” US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller had said in a post on X on Monday.
The milit court sentenced 25 people to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for targeting milit installations during protests which erupted after former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in May last year.
In a statement, the Pakistan milit stated that the country on May 9 saw tragic incidents of “politically provoked violence and arson at multiple places, marking a dark chapter in the history of Pakistan” when, building on a sustained narrative of hate and lies, politically orchestrated attacks were conducted at the army installations, reported. (ANI)
