Military Courts
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court bench hearing the please challenging the trial of civilians in military courts dissolved again on Monday after Attorney General raised objection on Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
Attorney General said that Justice Shah is relative of one of the petitioners and he should not hear the case.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Bandial felt annoyed and he said, “We cannot form benches as per your choice.”
Last week, CJP Bandial said that the bench would issue its verdict in this case on Tuesday (before Eid holidays).
CJP stated this during the hearing of pleas challenging the trial of civilians in the military courts on Friday. CJP adjourned hearing of the case on Friday.
The seven-member bench headed by CJP Banidal heard petitions filed against civilians trail in military courts.
The cause list of other benches of the Supreme Court is cancelled due to the hearing of the larger bench as three regular benches were scheduled to to hear cases.
Army can request ATCs to get custody of civilians for trial in military courts: CJP
Earlier, CJP Bandial said that the army can request the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) to obtain the custody of civilians for their trial in the military courts. He remarked this during the hearing of pleas against the civilians’ trial in military courts.
PTI supporters arrested after May 9 riots in the country.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja, legal expert Aitzaz Ahsan, and Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) Executive Director Karamat Ali have filed petitions.
The federal and provincial governments decided to try civilians in military courts after PTI supporters attacked army installations after the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9.
A seven-member SC bench consisting of CJP Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi, is hearing the petitions.
CJP said, “It’s common sense that crimes under the Official Secrets Act are to be determined by the army itself and it can request anti-terrorism courts seeking the custody of civilians for trials under army laws”.
