Farogh Naseem to represent PM Shehbaz before SC tomorrow in pleas against military courts

Islamabad: Barrister Dr. Farogh Naseem, who previously served as the federal law minister during Imran Khan's tenure, was appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as his legal representative in the Supreme Court (SC).

The top court is due to resume the hearing of pleas challenging the trials of civilians in military courts tomorrow.

A seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi would hear various petitions questioning the constitutionality of military trials for civilians.

The decision to try civilians under army laws was made by the government in response to the alleged violent actions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters after arrest of their party leader.

The petitions challenging the military trials were filed separately by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, former Chief Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, and five members of civil society. These petitions seek a declaration from the apex court that the military trials are unconstitutional.

CJP Bandial expressed interest in examining the grounds on which the anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge transferred the cases related to the May 9 riots to the military courts.

The CJP emphasized the direct impact of matters concerning national security on the military.