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LAHORE:
Families of individuals detained since the May 9 protests have urged Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to establish a full bench to review the cases of their loved ones, many of whom have been in military custody for nearly a year.
They also appealed to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to show compassion and investigate the matter, emphasising that most of those held in military custody are law-abiding citizens.
During a news conference on Wednesday, families of the detainees shared their distress alongside senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Ali Muhammad Khan, Raoof Hassan, and Barrister Abuzar Niazi.
Sidra Murtaza, whose brother was arrested on May 9 for participating in a protest, recounted his journey through various levels of custody, from police to the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), and then to the military.
Read more: SC refers military courts case to committee for bench constitution
She expressed the families’ hope that the Supreme Court would provide justice but lamented that the court had yet to issue a ruling or form a full bench to hear their cases.
She also referenced a previous case involving the Army Public School (APS), where CJP Isa ruled that civilians should not be tried in military courts, a decision that led to constitutional amendments with sunset clause, allowing trials of terrorists in military courts.
She stressed that these detainees deserve a fair trial in civilian courts as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.
Family members voiced their frustrations over the lack of transparency and prolonged detention. Taimoor Majeed, whose brother was arrested on August 13 for participating in a protest outside the Corps Commander House in Lahore Cantt, shared that it took five months for them to discover his brother was in military custody. When they finally met, his brother had lost a significant amount of weight, indicating harsh conditions.
Read: Trying civilians in military courts ‘against int’l law’
PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan pointed out that all political parties agree that civilians should not be tried in military courts. He called on the top court to prioritise the issue and form a larger bench to hear the cases, emphasising that almost a year has passed with little or no progress.
The affected families are seeking a fair and transparent investigation, with a fair trial in civil courts, as well as the opportunity to meet their loved ones under more humane conditions.
They reiterated that while they do not expect favouritism, they demand justice for their relatives who are suffering from lengthy incarceration and uncertain legal status.
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