The federal government has communicated to the Supreme Court that military tribunals have commenced the trials of civilians.
The decision, revealed in a miscellaneous petition, comes after a series of unsettling incidents leading to multiple arrests.
The government clarified that 102 individuals were detained concerning the events that transpired on May 09 and 10. These arrests followed attacks on critical military assets, including GHQ Rawalpindi, Corps Commander House Lahore, and others across the country. The implicated individuals, currently facing trial, were taken into custody under the Pakistan Army Act 1952, in conjunction with the Official Secrets Act 1923.
Ensuring Justice and Fair Trials
The petition emphasizes the government’s resolve to uphold justice for the arrested individuals. It articulates the necessity of conducting and concluding trials to ascertain the appropriate verdicts, ensuring the possibility of acquittal for the innocent and the release of those who have served their sentences. The document assures, “Accused persons if convicted, can avail remedies available under the law.”
Moreover, it insists that these trials will not preempt the outcomes of any ongoing Supreme Court proceedings. This stance reaffirms the commitment to maintaining judicial fairness and the rule of law, even as these cases unfold in military courts.
The government’s application to the apex court underlines a broader national security strategy, especially regarding sensitive sites like PAF Base Mianwali, ISI Establishment Civil Lines Faisalabad, and various cantonments. By swiftly bringing the accused to trial, the state aims to reinforce its stance against threats to military establishments and, by extension, national integrity.
The initiation of these trials marks a critical phase in the government’s response to recent security challenges, asserting its determination to safeguard national interests through legal avenues while ensuring that the principles of justice are not compromised.
