ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday suspended the death sentences issued by recently established military courts in a move that could incite tensions between the country’s powerful military and its judiciary.

The court order came as the justices heard a petition filed by the country’s Supreme Court Bar Association seeking a stay in executions ordered by military courts. Six militants were sentenced to death, and another was given life imprisonment by the military courts early this month.

“The executions will remain stayed unless the court gives a decision,” said Justice Nasir ul-Mulk, while presiding over a full court of 17 judges in Islamabad.

Nine military courts were set up in January after Parliament passed a constitutional amendment that empowered the military to try those suspected of being terrorists in a parallel system of courts, which operate swiftly compared with the slower-paced civilian judiciary.