ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has fired back in response to the Western governments and European Union (EU)’s reservations about the military courts, arguing, “Our constitution and courts have the capacity to resolve our internal issues”.
Pakistan responded to remarks from an EU spokesperson, emphasising the country’s ability to address its internal matters without external interference.
Pakistan FO’s Handout
The Spokesperson of Foreign Office in her official handout stated, “The statement of the European Union spokesperson is being reviewed.” She added that Pakistan’s Constitution and judicial system possess the necessary capacity to resolve domestic challenges effectively.
“Our constitution and courts have the capacity to resolve our internal issues,” the spokesperson affirmed.
She highlighted Pakistan’s sovereignty, stating, “Pakistan knows how to resolve its internal issues.”
The statement comes in response to the European Union expressing concerns over the recent verdicts delivered by Pakistan’s military courts against 25 civilians involved in attacks on military installations during the May 9 riots.
In light of court’s decision
On December 20, a military court sentenced 25 individuals to prison terms ranging from two to ten years for their involvement in violent protests and attacks on military installations following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in May 2023.
The military described the May 9 events as a series of “politically provoked violence and arson,” marking a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history. The statement also highlighted that these attacks were politically orchestrated, resulting in damage to army installations and martyrs’ monuments.
On 13 December 2024, a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed that the cases pending due to an earlier order of the Supreme Court be finalised and judgements in the cases of those accused found involved in these violent incidents be announced.
In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, Field General Court Martial have in first phase promulgated the punishments to the following 25 accused; “after examining all evidence, affording all legal rights to the accused and completion of due process”.
Legal expert weighs in
Hafiz Ahsan Ahmad Khokhar, senior lawyer Supreme Court of Pakistan, while speaking at WE News English’s programme Insight, said that military courts are working in 35 countries around the world.
🇵🇰 International Law Recognizes Military Court: Legal Expert
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🎙️ Guest: Hafiz Ahsan Ahmad Khokhar, Senior Lawyer, Supreme Court of Pakistan@haider_mateen @ahsaan_khokhar… pic.twitter.com/wQDDcnfPJV— WE News English (@WENewsEnglish) December 25, 2024
Khokhar said every country has a military law. You cannot intervene into the internal affairs of another sovereign country and if you are intervening than you are also violating the international law. US, EU and UK are intervening in the sovereignty of Pakistan, the lawyer said.
EU’s perspective
The EU argued that these sentences conflicted with Pakistan’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the country ratified.
A statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) stressed that the military court’s handling of these cases was inconsistent with Pakistan’s commitments to ensuring a “fair and public” trial for all individuals, as outlined in the ICCPR.
US, UK weigh in
On Monday, the United States of America and the United Kingdom also expressed reservations about Pakistan’s decision to try civilians in military courts in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests, citing concerns over transparency and fairness.
The US State Department has criticised the lack of judicial independence, transparency, and due process in these military tribunals. A spokesperson for the State Department highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law and fundamental rights.
“Military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees,” the spokesperson said.
“The United States continues to call on Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process, as enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution,” it added.
Moreover, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) emphasized that while the UK respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its legal processes, the use of military courts for civilian trials undermines fundamental rights.
