Pakistan’s Supreme Court reinstated the Pakistan Army Act in its original form, overturning its October 2023 verdict that voided civilian trials in military courts, with a 5-2 majority. The ruling, addressing May 9, 2023, riot cases, mandates appeal rights within 45 days.
On May 7, 2025, Pakistan’s Supreme Court, in a 5-2 decision, restored the Pakistan Army Act, nullifying its October 23, 2023, ruling against civilian trials in military courts, as reported by Dawn. Justices Aminuddin Khan, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Musarrat Hilali, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi approved appeals from the Ministry of Defence, reinstating Sections 2(1)(d)(i), 2(1)(d)(ii), and 59(4), with Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Naeem Akhtar Afghan dissenting.
The court ordered the government to legislate within 45 days to grant appeal rights against military court verdicts in high courts, addressing concerns from the 2023 May 9 riots cases involving 85 PTI activists, per The Express Tribune. The riots, sparked by Imran Khan’s arrest, saw attacks on military sites like the Lahore Corps Commander House, leading to 102 cases shifted to military courts, with 19 convicts later granted mercy, per ISPR.
The May 9, 2023, riots followed Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court, prompting nationwide protests targeting military facilities, per Reuters. The 2023 verdict had halted civilian trials, but the reinstatement aligns with Pakistan’s security priorities amid India-Pakistan tensions, as noted on X. The appeal mandate aims to balance justice, with legal experts on The News International calling it a step toward due process.
On May 7, 2025, Pakistan’s Supreme Court reinstated the Pakistan Army Act, overturning its 2023 ban on civilian military trials with a 5-2 vote. Mandating appeal rights within 45 days, the ruling reshapes justice for May 9 riot cases. As Pakistan navigates security challenges, the decision marks a pivotal judicial shift.
