London (TDI): The United Kingdom (UK) government has also conveyed its dismay over the sentencing of Pakistani civilians by military courts over their alleged involvement in riots on May 9, 2023.
Countrywide protests erupted after PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was arrested by Rangers personnel within the premises of the Islamabad High Court on May 9 last year.
In a statement, the UK foreign office said trying civilians in military courts undermined transparency, independent scrutiny and their right to a fair trial.
“We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the statement added.
Read More: US Concerned Over Sentencing of Pakistanis by Military Courts
The statement comes hours after the United States said it was “concerned” over the sentencing of Pakistanis by military courts.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Pakistani authorities to “respect” the right to a fair trial and due process.
A similar statement was given by the spokesperson of the European Union a day earlier.
These statements come days after a military court sentenced 25 civilians to jail for two to ten years, for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, the military’s media affairs wing said.
In a statement, the ISPR noted that in the first phase, the Field General Court Martial issued punishments to 25 accused after examining all evidence.
Read more: Military Courts Sentence 25 May 9 Rioters: ISPR
It added that those awarded punishments were given all legal rights to defend themselves.
Fourteen of the 25 convicted were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Most of them were arrested for vandalizing the Corps Commander House Lahore, later called the “Jinnah House.”
