Pakistan rejects US, UK, EU concerns over sentencing of civilians by military courts

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan on Tuesday rejected the US and EU's concerns over civilians sentenced by military courts, insisting that Islamabad is fully committed to fulfilling all of its international human rights obligations.

Last week, military courts in Pakistan sentenced 25 activists from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, founded by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, for their involvement in attacks on military installations across the country in May last year.

The US, EU, and UK, in separate statements, questioned the sentencing of civilians by military courts, saying it lacked transparency and independent scrutiny and undermined the right to a fair trial.

However, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement that the verdicts were made under a law passed by the Pakistani parliament and in line with the Supreme Court of Pakistan's ruling.

"Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law, including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"We will continue to engage with our international partners, including the European Union, to uphold international human rights law without any discrimination or double standards," she maintained.