US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, that the US is aware of the reports regarding civilians who would face military courts for their alleged participation in the protest in Pakistan on May 9.
According to him, the US continues to press Pakistani authorities to uphold the Constitution’s guarantees of the rule of law and democratic values for all citizens. We are aware of the reports regarding civilians who will face military trials for their alleged involvement in the May 9 protest, Matthew Miller said in response to a question about the situation in Pakistan, where 5,000 people, including politicians, are in prison and supreme court orders are disobeyed.
He continued, “We continue to urge Pakistani authorities to uphold democratic ideals and the rule of law for all citizens as established in the nation’s Constitution, as we have in the past. And we frequently speak with Pakistani officials at the highest levels about issues such as human rights, democracy, security, protection of journalists, and adherence to the rule of law.
The United States still considers that to be important. According to The Express Tribune, the Pakistan National Assembly earlier on June 12 passed a resolution urging prompt enforcement of the Army Act against those responsible for the May 9 riots.
The resolution, which was presented by Pakistan’s Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif, urged that the perpetrators of the events of May 9 be held accountable under the Army Act while upholding human rights.
The resolution’s text stated that on May 9, a gang and its leaders crossed all lines by attacking military sites, resulting in irreparable harm to national institutions and the state.
According to The Express Tribune, the resolution demanded that all such elements be handled following the law and the Constitution. The decision states that no human rights were violated while the action was conducted against the miscreants and criminals.
The resolution also stated that all those responsible should be held accountable for their actions under the Pakistan Army Act of 1952 and that the military can respond to attacks on military sites anywhere in the world.