Families in Pakistan Seek Justice for Detainees

Since the May 9 protests in Pakistan, families of individuals detained have been pleading for Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to convene a full bench to review the cases of their loved ones. Many of these detainees have been held in military custody for close to a year, prompting their families to seek intervention from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

During a recent news conference, families of the detainees, accompanied by senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, expressed their anguish over the prolonged detention of their relatives. Sidra Murtaza, whose brother was arrested during the protests, shared the harrowing journey of detainees through different levels of custody, including police, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), and ultimately military custody.

The families' main plea is for the Supreme Court to ensure a fair trial for the detainees. They highlighted the delay in court rulings and the absence of a full bench to hear their cases. Reference was made to a previous case involving the Army Public School (APS), where CJP Isa had ruled against trying civilians in military courts, leading to constitutional amendments allowing trials of terrorists in military courts with a sunset clause.

The families emphasized that the detainees, who they claim are law-abiding citizens, deserve their right to a fair trial in civilian courts as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

The families of those detained since the May 9 protests in Pakistan continue to advocate for justice and fair treatment for their loved ones. Their plea for a full bench review by CJP Isa and intervention from COAS General Asim Munir underscores their quest for transparency and adherence to constitutional rights in the legal proceedings concerning the detainees.