Pakistan's Supreme Court mandates civilian appeal rights for military court convicts within 45 days, upholding trials but demanding fair process reforms.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the government to pass laws within 45 days granting civilians convicted by military courts the right to appeal in civilian courts, upholding military trials' legality while demanding reforms to ensure due process. The court ruled that the 1952 Army Act is constitutional but incomplete without an independent appellate mechanism, citing violations of fair trial principles under Article 10A and international obligations. The decision, delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, reversed a prior ruling that invalidated military trials, emphasizing that military justice must meet minimum fairness standards. Justices Jamal Mandokhail and Naeem Afghan dissented. The directive follows legal challenges related to the May 9, 2023, riots and comes amid broader constitutional debates, including the rejection of a petition challenging the 26th Amendment. Other developments include a new polio case in Hyderabad, raising 2025’s total to 27, and judicial actions on fraud and honor killings.