ISLAMABAD: The 9-member bench of the Supreme Court dissolved on Thursday as two judges _ Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood recused to be part of the bench.
Qazi Faez Isa said that the 9-member bench of the apex court was illegal. He said that the Supreme Court first decide the case of the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, 2023.
The nine-member bench led by CJP Umar Ata Bandial, consisted of Justice Isa, Justice Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi.
Justice Isa stressed that the court should first issue a verdict on the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, 2023, and then constitute new benches.
“I will not accept this court until a decision is issued on the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act. All decisions are unconstitutional until the verdict on this act is issued,” Justice Isa said.
Responding to the judge’s concerns, CJP Bandial said he had constituted the bench in line with the law.
9-member bench hearing pleas challenging civilians trial in military courts
A 9-member bench of the Supreme Court takes up for hearing today petitions against the trial of civilians in military courts.
PTI Chairman and some others have filed petitions in the apex court against the trial in military courts of PTI leaders and supporters allegedly involved in targeting military installations on May 9, after the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial will be the head of the bench, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha Malik.
The bench was supposed to start hearing pleas today at 11:45 am, but two judges declared the bench unlawful.
Four petitions have been fixed for hearing in military courts against the trial of civilians. CJP Bandial has approved the hearing of petitions on Thursday morning. Here is the SC’s notification about the 9-member bench.
Famous lawyers Hamid Khan, Aitzaz Ahsan, PTI Chairman, and Justice (R) Jawad S Khawaja filed petitions in the court. They have challenged the trial of civilians in the military courts.
Following the incidents that occurred on May 9, the government made a decision to transfer the cases of individuals involved in damaging military installations to military courts.
