Supreme Court adjourns APS attack case for four weeks

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday adjourned the suo moto case regarding the attack on the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in 2014 for four weeks after Prime Minister Imran Khan briefed the apex court on the progress made by his government.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reached SC after being summoned by the apex court to explain his position about the non-implementation of the Army Public School (APS) massacre case verdict.

Prime Minister was brought in through the gate reserved for the entry of judges.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed asked Imran Khan about the steps taken in connection with the APS carnage.  

Khan told that at the time of the attack his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was ruling Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

“I immediately reached Peshawar, as soon as the incident was reported,” added Prime Minister Imran Khan.

While addressing the premier, Justice Ahsan said that "The satisfaction of parents who lost their children in the APS attack is necessary".

The chief justice asked Imran Khan to inform the apex court of the work being done—regarding the APS massacre.

Meanwhile, the apex court adjourned the hearing for four weeks and directed the government to submit a progress report before December 8.

Referring to the country’s intelligence agencies, the CJP asked, where do these administrative bodies disappear when it comes to the protection of citizens?

"There is such a huge intelligence system in the country and billions of rupees have been spent on it, but the results are zero," stressed CJP Ahmed.

“Constitution of Pakistan protects the life and property of every Pakistani,” Justice Gulzar Ahmed remarked.

TTP ceasefire

During today’s hearing, the issue of talks between the government and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was also discussed.

Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed said that there were reports that the state was negotiating with a group. 

Chief Justice Amin remarked that the court "could not leave children to die in schools".

The apex court, hence, directed the attorney general to inform the court about steps taken by the government to redress the grievances of the parents of the martyred children.  

SC summons Imran Khan 

Earlier today, a three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) summoned the Premier in his personal capacity to appear before the court at 11:30 am. 

Following this, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan called on Prime Minister Imran Khan. The chief federal law officer briefed the prime minister on the case. 

The premier was expected to appear in court shortly as security has been beefed up in and around the apex court.

In the wake of the terrible tragedy, military courts were set up for trying terrorists under amendments made to the Constitution and the Army Act. 

During the hearing, Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), if any case has been registered against higher officials in the light of the inquiry report in the APS massacre.

Responding to it, the AGP said that no finding against the higher officials reported in the inquiry so far.

The judgment was not sent to the PM Office, said Attorney General, adding that he will inform the premier about the court orders.

The AGP sought time from the court for the prime minister to appear before it. 

However, the three-member bench expressed anger at the request of the lawyer and responded to the attorney general’s plea, saying Imran Khan should present himself before the bench.

APS massacre

On 16 December 2014, six gunmen affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) conducted a terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar. 

The militants, all of whom were foreign nationals, comprising one Chechen, three Arabs, and two Afghans, entered the school and opened fire on school staff and children, killing 149 people including 132 schoolchildren ranging between eight and eighteen years of age.

It is considered as world's fourth-deadliest school massacre.