Pakistan, civilians in military court

Nouman Ali, Fair Trial Rights under Military Jurisdiction: Constitutional and International Perspectives from Pakistan and the UK. IX Int'. J. Res. and Innovation Soc. Sci. (IJRISS), October 2025.

Abstract

The rule of law and right of a fair trial and judgment forms the cornerstone of constitutional democracy. The eighteen amendments of constitution of Pakistan, Article 10A (2010) shipped the process from a judicial principle into a constitutional guarantee. This study aims to examine how these constitutional guarantees operate in practice when civilians are tried in military courts, using a comparative approach. however, the chronic trial of civilians before military courts continues to this guarantee. Basically, this is designed for maintaining discipline for the military, but these courts have enlarged their jurisdiction and include civilians blamed of terrorism also do wrong offences against state security. This study shows how Pakistan resolves its military jurisdiction through international obligations and national constitution to ensure a fair trial. This study examines Pakistan's legal and constitutional framework, as well as Britain’s neighboring Findley (sic). International human rights level Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the general recommendation of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights 32. The study shows Pakistan’s main structural defects: the discreet methods, command influence, weak appeal rights, the absence of civilian oversight and explanation for legislation, and gaps in judicial and institutional processes. Comparative study with the British demonstrates that operational discipline and judicial freedom can coexist within constitutional checks. This article shows the reform structure proposing self-reliance appellate procedure, and also show governance reforms, and the supervision of parliament to match Pakistan’s military lawfulness with domestic fair trial and international fair-trial standards.

It thus recommends an independent appellate process, enhanced civilian oversight, and stronger parliamentary supervision to align Pakistan’s military justice with domestic and international fair trial standards.