A Muslim minister on Wednesday defended the defense trial of civilians, claiming that courts with the authority to handle cases involving attacks on military installations were qualified to handle the cases.
Information minister Attaullah Tarar urged Imran Khan’s regime, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ( PTI), to refrain from politicizing or contesting the subject of military trials.
The important authorities are responsible for apprehending the perpetrators when an assault is carried out on a defense organisation or its home is set on fire. Military courts deal with crimes involving martial assets in the same way that railroad authorities deal with crimes committed on railroad property. Therefore, when attacks on military property occur, the Military Act is enforced”, he said while addressing a press conference.
Tarar criticized Khan’s group for using defense authorities as a political tool and trying to stir up unrest in their place. He made it clear that single cases involving attacks on defense-related institutions are handled by military courts, citing incidents like the Lahore assault on the Corps Commander’s House.
The secretary even criticized the PTI for changing its position on civil trial tests in military judges, recalling that court trials in military courts were praised during Khan’s rule.
” The leadership of PTI’s leadership praised the military authorities and made the remarks on social advertising.” But now, the exact individuals are lobbying abroad against these judges”, Tarar said.
He defended claims of unfairness in military trials and said that defense trials were held to fair trial principles.
The military authorities that were tasked with hearing cases of suspects in the May 9, 2023 opposition sentenced 25 civilians to prison sentences ranging from 2 to 10 years.
Khan’s group criticized the decisions, arguing that military judges have no control over civilians.
