Pak SC to pronounce judgment on need for military tribunals

Islamabad : The Supreme Court of Pakistan is expected to soon pronounce its judgment on whether secret military tribunals set up to try civilians accused of terrorism have violated the constitutional rights or not.

The military tribunals were established last year after the December 2014 massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar killing 134 students.

According to the military’s press wing, so far, these courts have convicted 81 people, 77 of whom were sentenced to death, reports Dawn.

According to media reports, at least 27 convicts have filed appeals with civilian courts, alleging coercion of confessions and denial of access to lawyers.

The army-run courts has drawn flak from the International Commission of Jurists, a non-governmental organisation that promotes human rights through the rule of law. (ANI)