A Military Court Sentences Civilians in Pakistan

A Pakistani military court has sentenced 60 civilians awarding jail terms upto 10 years, raising ‘concerns’ from civil society as well as international communities.

According to reports by news organisations, the civilians have been sentenced by the military court in charges connected with attacks on military facilities following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in 2023, the reports said quoting the military media wing on Thursday.

The sentencing of civilians by a military court has sparked concern among not just Khan’s supports, who now feel that the military court will play more roles with regard to Khan’s case, but the U.S. and the West too expressed concern over the incident. The U.S. was "deeply concerned" while the United Kingdom's foreign office said the incident "lacked transparency, independent scrutiny and undermined the right to a fair trial". The European Union too criticized the development.