Pakistan's Military Courts Sentence 25 Pro-Imran Khan Protesters

In a significant development, Pakistan's military courts have sentenced 25 individuals to prison for their involvement in last year's unrest following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The convictions include 14 men receiving ten years of rigorous imprisonment, with the remaining given shorter sentences. The military described the events as "politically provoked violence," condemning them as acts of "political terrorism."

Khan, ousted from office in 2022, was arrested in May 2023 on corruption charges, sparking nationwide protests targeting military installations. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized the use of military courts to try civilians, labeling it a violation of Pakistan’s constitutional and international obligations.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has rejected the sentences, calling them "disproportionate and excessive." A widespread crackdown on PTI supporters has followed, with thousands detained and the party barred from forming a government despite winning the most seats in the February elections. The United Nations has also questioned the legality of Khan's imprisonment, suggesting it was politically motivated to prevent him from contesting elections.

The sentencing highlights ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan, where military influence over governance continues to shape the country’s trajectory.

Refrence From: www.ndtv.com