May 9 weaponised against PTI, says Yasmin

PTI leader accuses constitutional bench of undermining human rights

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ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR/LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday turned up the heat on the military court convictions, with former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan taking aim at the justice system collapsing under the weight of injustice.

Dr Rashid, in a handwritten statement, called the endorsement of military courts' jurisdiction over civilian cases a "final blow to human rights," while Ayub vowed to challenge military court verdicts in high courts and demanded judicial inquiries into key political incidents.

Dr Yasmin Rashid accused the constitutional bench of undermining human rights by endorsing military courts' authority to prosecute civilians.

She termed the move a "final blow to human rights," following the establishment of a constitutional bench under the 26th Amendment. She added that the "facade of democracy" in Pakistan had crumbled.

"How long will Pakistan endure these atrocities?" she questioned, criticising what she described as a breakdown of justice and fundamental freedoms.

Referring to the events of May 9, Dr Rashid accused the current government of weaponizing the incident against PTI while ignoring alleged injustices that occurred under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan announced that sentences handed down to PTI workers by military courts will be challenged in high courts, adding that legal assistance would be provided to all affected individuals.

'Military convictions risk hard-earned GSP+ status'

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram has said the EU's apprehensions regarding sentencing civilians in military courts are well-founded and justified.

He said the trial of civilians in military courts will not only further isolate Pakistan in diplomatic circles but will also threaten its hard-won preferential access to EU trade.

"The EU's concerns about military courts' decisions being inconsistent with Pakistan's international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) are valid.

"Pakistan's compliance with the ICCPR, which guaranteed due process and fair trials, is integral to its continued participation in the scheme but in this case, the civilians are deprived of all fundamental legal and constitutional rights and the military courts gave unilateral decisions," he said in a statement

He stated Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for EU foreign affairs and security policy, has raised valid concerns over the sentencing of 25 individuals by military courts for their involvement in the May 9 attacks on state installations in Pakistan.

Waqas said these draconian measures and ill-conceived tactics would only serve to exacerbate the country's problems, plunging it deeper into crisis.