THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Military convictions’ (Dec 22) which raised questions on the transparency of justice and due process. One needs to differentiate between routine crimes and coordinated attacks on sensitive install-ations across the country.

The infamous May 9 riots were clearly planned with the aim of disrupting the state’s security apparatus. The existing judicial system, which moves at its own pace, is by no means a suitable option to deal with serious acts meriting speedy justice.

One must also keep in mind that the accused have their legal rights intact during trials in military courts, including the choice of defence counsel, attendance of family members during hearings, and the ability to file appeals against the verdict at multiple tiers, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The strict military discipline of the armed forces should not be interpreted as a sign of weaker integrity. Officers involved in military court proceedings act with utmost responsibility under sacred oath to deliver justice. Undue criticism of such proceedings merits reconsideration.

Faisal Ahmad
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024