Civilians’ trial in military courts: Petitions granted for larger bench

Islamabad: The Supreme Court has asked for the copies of the decisions of the military courts during the hearing on the appeals against the annulment of the trials of the civilians in the military courts.

According to the details, a six-member bench headed by Justice Aminuddin heard the appeals against the annulment of trials of civilians in military courts today at 11:30am. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan are also part of the bench.

At the beginning of the hearing, Attorney General Mansoor Awan Usman said that 20 accused have been released and gone to their homes on Eid and the details of those released through a miscellaneous application have been submitted.

Justice Mian Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired if there is no case against the released accused now.

Aitzaz Ahsan stood from his seat and replied that these accused have been convicted and sent home. A child convicted without trial is now on the run. Whatever happened, it was very random. Unfortunately, the perfection of the Attorney General was not seen in this case.

Justice Aminuddin inquired that what you are talking about is in the submission list of the Attorney General? Aitzaz Ahsan said that he is included in this list.

Later, the court made the Attorney General's statement part of the record.

Objection to bench

Khawaja Ahmad Hussain, the lawyer of the petitioner Justice Jawad S. Khawaja raised objection on the bench and said that the matter should be sent again to the Judges Committee for the formation of a nine-member bench.

On this occasion, Aitzaz Ahsan and other lawyers requested the court to bring the judgments on record. The lawyers took the position that the verdicts passed on the limit of 20 accused should be brought on record.

The court remarked that we ask them for copies of the decisions, Justice Shahid Waheed said that we know what procedure was followed in the trial.

Later, the Supreme Court sought copies of the decisions of military courts while hearing appeals against the annulment of trials of civilians in military courts.