● Unjust Military Trials: Military courts bypass civilian judiciary and fair trial rights, imposing harsh punishments in violation of justice and international law.
● Hypocrisy and Manipulation: The military exploited the “Jinnah House attack”, sparing those denouncing PTI while targeting dissenters to suppress opposition and retain power.
The events of May 9, 2023, have been painted by the Pakistani establishment as a dark day in the nation’s history—an orchestrated narrative crafted to tighten the military’s grip on the country’s political landscape. At the center of this controversy lies the attack on Jinnah House in Lahore, which has been deceitfully used as a pretext to try civilians in military courts, bypassing all principles of justice and human rights.
The Hijacking of Jinnah’s Legacy
The so-called “Jinnah House,” which was historically owned but never rightfully given back to Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had long been occupied by the military and then turned into the residence of the Lahore Corps Commander. The military establishment, however, conveniently and deliberately omitted this fact, instead framing the attack as an affront to Jinnah’s legacy. This narrative was a deliberate ploy to manipulate public sentiment and demonize supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The attack itself has raised numerous questions, with evidence confirming it was staged or at the very least allowed to occur to serve as a catalyst for the military’s subsequent crackdown. The deliberate obfuscation of the true ownership and use of the property—turning it from a Corps Commander’s residence into a sacred symbol of the nation’s founder—shows the lengths to which the establishment will go to shield itself from accountability while crushing civilian dissent.
Civilians in Military Courts: A Mockery of Justice
The trials of civilians in military courts for their alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents expose the establishment’s blatant hypocrisy. Scores of civilians have been sentenced to harsh punishments, including rigorous imprisonment, in proceedings that defy ‘every tenet of fair trial rights’. Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned these trials as a violation of Pakistan’s obligations under international law, yet the military remains unrepentant.
The use of military courts for civilians is a flagrant bypass of the civilian judiciary and an assault on the fundamental right to a fair trial. It reflects the military’s disdain for democratic norms and its willingness to weaponize legal systems to crush disssent. These courts, operating under the shadow of military hierarchy, cannot be considered impartial or independent.
Adding to the farcical nature of these trials is the revelation that individuals accused of the same crimes were spared simply because they denounced their party membership and publicly criticized Imran Khan. These individuals, who held press conferences to disown PTI and malign its leadership, were set free without ever facing trial. This glaring double standard reveals the true purpose of these sham trials: not justice, but coercion and political suppression. Those who refused to bend the knee and speak out against Khan were the ones subjected to the full weight of these kangaroo courts.
The 9/11 of Pakistan?: A Manufactured Crisis
The establishment’s comparison of the May 9 events to the September 11 attacks in the United States further underscores the military’s cynical manipulation of national trauma. By branding the protests as “political terrorism,” the military seeks to equate dissent with treason and justify its draconian measures against Khan and his supporters. This narrative has been used to crush civilian supremacy and dismantle the PTI as a political force.
The comparison is not only ludicrous but also insulting to the intelligence of the Pakistani people. The military’s actions on and after May 9 were part of a calculated plan to eliminate Khan and his party as threats to its unchecked power. The staged nature of the events and the subsequent crackdown reveal the military’s playbook: create a crisis, exploit it to justify authoritarian measures, and suppress any opposition.
Crushing Civilian Supremacy
The military’s actions following May 9 are emblematic of its long-standing disdain for civilian supremacy. By using Jinnah’s name and legacy to shield itself from criticism, the military has demonstrated its willingness to exploit even the nation’s founder for its own ends. This is not about protecting Jinnah’s legacy; it is about preserving the military’s hegemony.
The harsh sentences handed down by military courts, the arbitrary detention of PTI supporters, and the brazen double standards in dealing with accused individuals all point to a deeply corrupt and unaccountable institution. The military’s obsession with maintaining its dominance has led to the erosion of Pakistan’s democratic institutions and the suppression of its people’s voices.
A Call for Accountability
The sham trials and the broader crackdown on political dissent in Pakistan demand international attention and condemnation. The military’s actions are not just an assault on PTI or Imran Khan; they are an assault on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. It is imperative for the people of Pakistan and the international community to hold the establishment accountable and demand an end to its authoritarian practices.
The events surrounding Jinnah House and the May 9 protests are a stark reminder of the military’s hypocrisy and its willingness to sacrifice the nation’s democratic principles for its own gain. The people of Pakistan deserve better than a system where power is maintained through deceit, coercion, and repression.
