A Pakistani military court has sentenced 60 civilians to prison terms ranging from 2 to 10 years for their involvement in attacks on military installations during protests that erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest in May 2023, according to a statement released by the military’s media wing on Thursday.

Among those sentenced are a relative of Khan and two retired military officers. These latest sentences follow the earlier convictions of 25 individuals on similar charges.
The arrests stem from widespread unrest in May 2023, when Khan’s detention sparked protests across the country. Supporters of the ousted prime minister targeted and vandalized military facilities in a show of defiance unprecedented in Pakistan’s history, where the military holds significant influence over political affairs.
In its statement, the military emphasized its commitment to maintaining state authority and ensuring justice. “The Nation, Government, and the Armed Forces remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the inviolable writ of the state is maintained,” the statement read.
The sentences have drawn sharp criticism domestically and internationally. Supporters of Khan, who remains a prominent opposition figure, argue that the charges are politically motivated and that the trials undermine civilian rights.

The international community has also voiced concerns over the use of military courts for civilians. The United States expressed being “deeply concerned” about the sentences, while the United Kingdom’s foreign office noted that trying civilians in military courts “lacks transparency, independent scrutiny, and undermines the right to a fair trial.”
The European Union also criticized the sentences, calling them “inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
Pakistan’s information minister defended the trials during a press conference on Wednesday, asserting that they adhered to legal standards. According to the minister, the convicted individuals were provided access to legal counsel, allowed family visits, and retain the right to appeal twice—within the military court system and subsequently in the relevant civilian high court.
“The military court sentences do not infringe upon the right to a fair trial,” the minister stated.
The military and government have denied any undue targeting of Khan or his supporters, asserting that the judicial process is impartial.
The sentences are the latest chapter in the political turmoil surrounding Imran Khan, who has been a vocal critic of Pakistan’s military establishment since his removal from office in 2022. Khan faces multiple charges, including inciting violence against the military, which he denies, claiming the cases are part of a broader campaign to silence him and his party.
Khan’s supporters maintain their innocence, arguing that the charges are baseless and intended to crush dissent.
The military’s growing role in handling cases tied to political unrest has sparked broader fears of diminishing civilian oversight and transparency in Pakistan’s judicial process.
The trials and sentences underscore the ongoing struggle between Pakistan’s political opposition and its powerful military, which has historically played a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape.
As appeals move forward, the sentences are expected to remain a flashpoint in Pakistan’s volatile political climate, further complicating prospects for reconciliation between the government, opposition, and military.
Reuters