KP assembly resolution seeks to withdraw military courts verdicts

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution seeking to withdraw the military courts’ verdicts. It also demanded a high-level judicial probe into the May 9 incidents.

During Tuesday’s session, treasury lawmakers and cabinet members jointly presented the resolution, which said that constitution and legal system provide every citizen with access to a judiciary that begins with local magistrate and civil courts and culminates in the Supreme Court.

It said that a fair trial was a fundamental and constitutional right of every Pakistani.

Also read: May 9 cases: Military courts sentence Hassan Niazi, 59 more perpetrators

The resolution condemned the exercise of sentencing civilians through military courts, describing it as a gross miscarriage of justice and a violation of basic rights. It censured military court verdicts as a severe breach of human rights.

The resolution demanded that the provincial government recommended to the federal government to reverse military courts’ verdicts and start a high-level judicial probes into the May 9 incidents.

The assembly unanimously approved the resolution.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati issued orders for the formation of a standing committee on security at the request of PPP MPA Ahmad Khan Kundi. The committee will consult on actions and operations conducted by security forces against armed groups and militants in the province.

Prior to the assembly session, Provincial Police Chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur briefed lawmakers on the province’s law and order situation, militant activities, and the government’s security measures.

Speaker Swati also announced plans to receive a briefing from the Peshawar Corps Commander regarding the province’s security. After this briefing, the provincial assembly will present its recommendations on operational strategies.