New Delhi, Dec. 26 -- On 13 December 2024, the Supreme Court of Pakistan delivered a landmark ruling that upheld the authority of military courts to try 85 civilians detained for their involvement in the violent May 9, 2023 riots. This decision has brought the ongoing debate over the military's role in civilian justice matters to the forefront, raising important questions about the balance of power between civilian and military institutions in Pakistan.

Section 2(1)(d) of the Pakistan Army Act

Central to the Court's ruling is Section 2(1)(d) of the Pakistan Army Act, which allows military courts to try civilians in cases related to national security, such as espionage or terrorism. This provision has long been controversial, granting th...