ISLAMABAD: Sentences imposed on 29 civilians by military courts during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) era of government have been challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It had earlier been reported that at least 25 civilians were given punishments by military courts during Imran Khan's government from August 2018 to April 2022.
https://twitter.com/shemrez/status/1659079110126186503
The application challenging these punishments has been filed at the Supreme Court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by Colonel (retired) Inam-ur-Rahim.
The Federation of Pakistan, former prime minister Imran Khan and former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa have been named in the petition. Former DG ISI Lt. Gen. (retd) Faiz Hameed, Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch, and registrars of all four High Courts have also been made respondents in the application.
In the petition, it is requested that the punishments awarded to 29 citizens by military courts during PTI's government be overturned. The apex court is also asked to declare that former premier Imran Khan, Gen. (retd) Bajwa, and Lt. Gen. (retd) Faiz Hameed exceeded their powers, and grant that these three persons "abducted citizens against the law".
Col. (retd) Rahim's petition takes the position that 29 Pakistani civilians were illegally sentenced by military courts, warranting legal action be taken against the former prime minister, former army chief and former DG ISI. Records of the punishments given to the 29 civilians have been sought from JAG Branch. "The registrars of the High Courts should also be ordered to produce the relevant records in the court, including the records of those convicted under the Pakistan Army Act, as well as the pending cases," the petition prays.
It has been stated in the petition that in 2020, one citizen was sentenced to death and another was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while the other accused were each sentenced to 5-to-10 years rigorous imprisonment by the military courts while PTI chairman Imran Khan was prime minister of the country.
It may be noted that PTI has itself approached the Supreme Court recently to petition against the trial of May 9 rioters in military courts.
https://twitter.com/shemrez/status/1659079110126186503
The application challenging these punishments has been filed at the Supreme Court under Article 184(3) of the Constitution by Colonel (retired) Inam-ur-Rahim.
The Federation of Pakistan, former prime minister Imran Khan and former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa have been named in the petition. Former DG ISI Lt. Gen. (retd) Faiz Hameed, Judge Advocate General (JAG) Branch, and registrars of all four High Courts have also been made respondents in the application.
In the petition, it is requested that the punishments awarded to 29 citizens by military courts during PTI's government be overturned. The apex court is also asked to declare that former premier Imran Khan, Gen. (retd) Bajwa, and Lt. Gen. (retd) Faiz Hameed exceeded their powers, and grant that these three persons "abducted citizens against the law".
Col. (retd) Rahim's petition takes the position that 29 Pakistani civilians were illegally sentenced by military courts, warranting legal action be taken against the former prime minister, former army chief and former DG ISI. Records of the punishments given to the 29 civilians have been sought from JAG Branch. "The registrars of the High Courts should also be ordered to produce the relevant records in the court, including the records of those convicted under the Pakistan Army Act, as well as the pending cases," the petition prays.
It has been stated in the petition that in 2020, one citizen was sentenced to death and another was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while the other accused were each sentenced to 5-to-10 years rigorous imprisonment by the military courts while PTI chairman Imran Khan was prime minister of the country.
It may be noted that PTI has itself approached the Supreme Court recently to petition against the trial of May 9 rioters in military courts.