Military Space News
THE STANS
Pakistan military convicts 60 more civilians of pro-Khan unrest
Pakistan military convicts 60 more civilians of pro-Khan unrest
By Shrouq TARIQ
Islamabad (AFP) Dec 26, 2024

Pakistan military courts have sentenced 60 more civilians for taking part in pro-Imran Khan unrest last year, the armed forces said Thursday, after international outcry over earlier announced convictions.

Ex-prime minister Khan was arrested in May last year after being ousted from office and mounting an unprecedented campaign of defiance against the nation's powerful military leaders.

His detention over graft allegations sparked nationwide unrest, some targeting armed forces installations.

The military -- which has ruled Pakistan directly for decades at a time and still wields enormous influence -- said last summer it would try the accused in court martials closed to the public.

The process was largely opaque until Saturday, when the military announced the first 25 convictions -- prompting condemnation from the United States, European Union and United Kingdom.

"These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Announcing 60 more convictions on Thursday, the military said the court martials had now concluded.

All of the 85 men were sentenced to between two and 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment". The military did not make clear what their convictions were, listing only the location of their offences.

"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," a military statement said.

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said his nephew was among the men whose convictions were announced on Thursday, and that he was sentenced to a decade in prison.

"Conducting trials in military courts has undermined the fundamental rights of citizens," Khan said, according to a summary of a conversation he had with lawyers and press inside jail, released on X.

- Broadsides from abroad -

The UK government said on Monday that Pakistan's decision to convict civilians in army courts "lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial".

The European Union said Pakistan is reneging on its international rights obligations, which guarantee legal judgements are made public.

But Islamabad's foreign ministry spokeswoman on Thursday rejected the criticism, saying "Pakistan's constitution and legal systems have the capacity to resolve any issues that arise internally".

Former cricket star Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted by parliament in a no-confidence vote.

Khan's May 2023 detention lasted a matter of days but he was re-arrested three months later and has remained imprisoned since, facing a parade of court cases he claims are politically motivated.

The 72-year-old was barred from running in February elections which were marred by rigging allegations.

Meanwhile, PTI was targeted by a sweeping crackdown following the unrest, with thousands of grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested.

A coalition of parties considered close to the military establishment emerged as the new government.

Related Links
News From Across The Stans

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
THE STANS
Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan: Taliban spokesman
Kabul (AFP) Dec 25, 2024
Pakistan air strikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people, the Taliban government spokesman told AFP on Wednesday, as the defence ministry vowed retaliation. The strikes were the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with border tensions between the two countries escalating since the Taliban government seized power in 2021. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said late Tuesday, Pakistan bombarded four areas in the Barma ... read more

THE STANS
Lockheed Martin demonstrates missile defense capability for Guam in key test

Northrop Grumman's next-gen missile warning satellites move to manufacturing

Philippines rejects China's criticism of US missile plan

PAC-3 demonstrates advanced integration in successful defense test

THE STANS
US strikes Huthi targets in Yemen, hours after rebels hit Israel

Netanyahu says ordered Israeli forces to 'destroy Huthi infrastructure'

Yemen rebels claim ballistic missile attack on Israel

Houthi missile strikes Israel after countermeasures fail

THE STANS
Skydweller Aero advances autonomous maritime patrol aircraft testing with military payloads

Sikorsky to showcase autonomous flight capabilities for marine corps

Mystery drones won't interfere with Santa's work: US tracker

Israel army says intercepted drone from the east

THE STANS
Quadsat and NATO NCIA validate Quadsat system for WGS compliance testing

SpaceRISE to develop and operate Europe's IRIS2 connectivity network under new EU contract

ESA to support development of secure EU communications satellite constellation

IRIS2 contract signed to strengthen Europe's space connectivity and security

THE STANS
Software-driven smart munitions reshape tactical drone operations

UK and Australia to supply military equipment to Kyiv

US announces nearly $1 bn in new military aid for Ukraine

VA wants to expand healthcare coverage for more vets, particularly those exposed to blasts

THE STANS
US authorizes military sales of more than $5 billion to Egypt

Key facts from the Pentagon's annual China military report

US, European, Chinese firms seek to draw Vietnam arms deals from Russia

Corruption may hamper China military modernization: Pentagon

THE STANS
Macron stresses Djibouti base as France loses Africa footholds

China says Japan's foreign minister to visit on Wednesday

Finland PM says Russia 'permanent' threat to EU

US Congress passes bill to avert shutdown

THE STANS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.