The recent convictions handed down by Pakistani military courts to 25 civilian supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have raised deep concerns from the United States and the United Kingdom. The convictions stem from alleged involvement in riots that occurred last year, following Khan's arrest in May 2023.
The United States, in a statement released by the State Department, expressed worry over the lack of judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees in the military tribunal's proceedings. The UK Foreign Office echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that trying civilians in military courts undermines the right to a fair trial and lacks independent scrutiny.
The violence erupted after Khan's ousting through a no-confidence vote in 2022, leading to his subsequent arrest, conviction for corruption, and imprisonment in August 2023. His supporters have been advocating for his release through negotiations with the government.
The 25 convicted supporters received prison terms ranging from two to 10 years, with the army emphasizing that the sentences serve as a warning against taking the law into one's own hands. Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has rejected the military court convictions, calling for trials in civilian courts instead.
While there has been no official response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government to the international criticism, state-run media in Pakistan showcased public support for the convictions, citing the punishment of those who attacked military installations.
The information minister in Sharif's Cabinet accused Khan's party of using foreign lobbying groups to campaign against Pakistan, vowing to hold the alleged mastermind of the 2023 violence accountable. Khan denies the government's accusations of being the mastermind behind the riots.
Earlier this month, Khan and others were indicted by a civilian court on charges of inciting violence on the day of the riots, which saw attacks on military headquarters, an air base, and a state-run radio building in Pakistan.
