A military court in Pakistan has convicted 25 people for their role in the violent protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the country’s armed forces said.
The court said it imposed sentences of two to 10 years in prison in connection with attacks on military facilities last year.
In May 2023, protests erupted nationwide after security forces arrested Khan during his appearance at the Supreme Court on corruption charges — charges he called politically motivated.
Thousands of Khan’s supporters stormed government buildings and military installations and the government responded with a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
At least 1,400 protesters were arrested last year, police said, but only about 100 of the detainees have faced military trials.
The military said full justice will only be served if the masterminds behind the protests are punished.
A Supreme Court ruling last year temporarily allowed military courts to try civilian suspects.
“All punishments handed down by the military courts are disproportionate and excessive,” a PTI party spokesperson said, adding that “these punishments are rejected.”
Amnesty International has said that trying civilians in military courts is “contrary to international law,” adding that it is “purely an intimidation tactic designed to crack down on dissent.”
The Pakistani military has strongly influenced the nuclear-armed country for most of its existence and is a crucial behind-the-scenes player.
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was photographed in March last year [Reuters]
Former Pakistani cricket star Khan was elected prime minister in 2018 but fell out with the country’s powerful military.
After a series of defections, he lost his majority in parliament.
He was impeached after losing a confidence vote in April 2022, four years into his term.
Since then, he has been an outspoken critic of the country’s government and military.
In October 2022, he was disqualified from holding public office, accused of misreporting details of gifts from foreign dignitaries and the proceeds from their alleged sales.
The following month he survived a gun attack on his convoy while holding a protest march.
