PTI rejects CB ruling on military courts

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf outright rejects the Supreme Court's ruling allowing civilians' trial in military courts, saying it will lead to a constitutional crisis. The party urged the chief justice to form a full court to settle the issue.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad following the SC ruling, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja called it "another dark day" for the country, saying the Constitution had been attacked. "It is the darkest day of my career as a lawyer," said Raja, adding, "The entire nation feels sorrow over today's verdict."

He said the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court had delivered a judgment that undermined the progress of the past 80 years. Referring to Article 175(3), which came into force in 1988 to define the boundaries between the executive and judiciary, he said: "Today's decision has dismantled the very the foundations of the constitutional structure."

As per the decision, Army officers will decide the fate of civilians behind closed doors, said Raja, adding, they could award life term or death penalty as per their discretion. He highlighted that Pakistan would be the only country where civilians will be tried in military courts.

He said a five-member bench earlier termed military courts unconstitutional and illegal. Then, an appeal was filed in 2023 against the decision. In October 2024, the 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed and a constitutional bench was formed with judges of their choosing, said the PTI leader.

He said the CB's decision has deprived Pakistan's citizens of fair trials.

On the occasion, Babar Awan said the SC ruling has led to a new constitutional crisis.