A military court in Pakistan has convicted 25 civilians for their involvement in the unrest that followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023. The court handed down sentences ranging from two to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, with 14 individuals facing the maximum penalty. The charges were related to attacks on military facilities by Khan’s supporters, which were described as “political terrorism” by the military.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the ruling as an “intimidation tactic” aimed at suppressing dissent. Khan, who has been in jail since his arrest, claims that the court cases against him are politically motivated. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has also faced a crackdown, with thousands of supporters and officials arrested.
The unrest and protests in Pakistan have been ongoing, with Khan’s party defying government restrictions to win seats in the latest elections. However, a coalition of parties more aligned with military interests has prevented PTI from gaining power. Protests in the capital city of Islamabad have also continued, with Khan recently being indicted for inciting attacks against the military.
The military court’s ruling is seen as a warning to those who may challenge the government or military authority in Pakistan. As tensions continue to escalate, there are concerns about further crackdowns on dissent and political opposition in the country.
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