Govt wants full court to hear petitions against military courts

Islamabad: The federal government again requested the Supreme Court (SC) to form a full court for hearing pleas against trials of civilians in military courts on Monday.

In their argument, the federal government claimed that the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act existed before the Constitution. The activities taken in compliance with both acts are legal.

The accused has a right to a fair trial during the proceedings under the Army and Official Secret Acts.

The federal government urged the SC to establish a full court to review the case against the military courts since the subject is so delicate and significant.

Further, it should be recalled that on July 18 (Tuesday), the Supreme Court (SC) will hear arguments challenging trials of civilians in military courts.

The cases will be heard by a six-member panel led by CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial. The other judges on the court included Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha Malik.

The respondents had received notices of the hearing.

At the last hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial expressed the wish that no civilians would be prosecuted in military courts until the conclusion of the cases brought against them before the Supreme Court (SC).

Earlier, the Supreme Court's seven-member bench was disbanded when Justice Mansoor Ali Shah withdrew from hearing cases related to reservations made by the federal government.