ISLAMABAD: The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on Thursday urged the Pakistan government to discontinue the trial of civilians through military courts.

In a statement, it asked the government to `stop putting civilians charged with terrorism-related of fences on trial before military tribunals` Since January 2015, when Pakistan empowered military courts to try civilians for terrorism-related offences, 11 military courts have been set up to hear such cases.

These courts have thus far concluded the trial of 105 people, findingthe defendants guilty in 81 cases.

Seventy-seven people have been sentenced to death and four given life sentences. At least, 12 people have been hanged after the trials. The ICJ, however, described it as grossly unfair.

Sam Zarifi, ICJ`s Director for Asia, admitted that the government was under obligation to protect citizens from terrorists but argued that military tribunals were not the proper way of convicting the suspects.

`These tribunals are opaque and operate in violation of national and international fair trial standards, and so are noteffectivein providing justice, truth or even proper remedies for the victims of terrorism, he said.Families of 17 people convicted by military courts have approached the Supreme Court, saying that they were denied a right to fair trial.

The ICJ recalls that in August last year, the Supreme Court had upheld the legality of the trial of civilians before military courts in contravention of long-established principles of international law and the court`s own jurisprudence.

The ICJ urged the Pakistan government to roll back the system of `military injustice`, and ensure that the 21st Amendment was not extended at the expiration of the sunset clause.

It also asked for the reinstatement of a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty in law and practice.