Supreme Court Requires Legal Channels for Civilian Appeals in Military Trials

In a significant civil-law development, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that while civilian trials under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 are not inherently unconstitutional, the current absence of an independent right of appeal to civilian courts renders the process deficient. Pakistan Today

The case relates to civilians tried under the Army Act for offences connected to the May 9, 2023 events. The Court found that although internal appeals exist, these do not satisfy constitutional standards for civilians. It directed the legislature to amend the Act within 45 days to create a civilian appellate venue. Pakistan Today

Legal observers say this judgment reflects a push to align military-justice mechanisms with civil-law fairness principles, especially the right to judicial redress. It may also lead to broader reforms in how civil law and military law intersect.