Military Courts: Credibility and Capacity Implications for Superior Judiciary of Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is going through turmoil of terrorism. The State is doing what it can to eradicate this menace and in so doing established Field General Court Martial commonly known as Military Courts in wake of barbaric attack on Army Public School in December 2014. However, it is not the solution to the long standing problem motivated and nurtured by various factors like political, religious etc. Instead drastic changes are required to amend and update the existing criminal justice system including legal framework, training for judges, prosecutions, protection of witnesses as well as prosecution/defense. This will pave a way for reforms and improve security situation in Pakistan instead of challenging the credibility and capacity of the superior judiciary. In this way, violence can be countered by respecting Fundamental Rights and following due process of law. Also this will enable the state institutes to cooperate in a better way