In December 1998, the Government set up military trial...

In December 1998, the Government set up military trial courts (MTC) to try those responsible for "violence and terrorism" in Sindh Province, the capital of which is Karachi, where more than 1,000 people were killed in political and religious violence during the year. The trials were originally to last 3 days but that was changed to 1 week and appeals go to another military court, and not a civil court. The appellate court has to decide within 3 days. The opposition Muttahida Qaumi Movement went to the Supreme Court to challenge the validity of the military courts, and asked that any death sentences awarded by these tribunals not be carried out until the validity ruling was made. But death sentences had already been carried out. The then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recommended that the President not pardon people sentenced by military courts, and said such steps were necessary to restore peace in Karachi - Pakistan's main commercial hub and only port city.