The Supreme Court will today (Monday) resume hearing on petitions challenging the military trial of civilians involved in the May 9 riots following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in a corruption case. Ready for.
A five-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Syed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik will hear the petitions filed by the PTI chief and others.
A day earlier, the federal government informed the top court that military trials of civilians had already begun.
The government informed the court about developments related to trials in the military court in a miscellaneous application following the apex court’s orders on August 3, stating that at least 102 people were detained for their involvement in attacks on military installations. Was taken and establishment.
Suspects expressed confidence in the courts
On the same day, expressing their “confidence and trust” in the military authorities, the nine May 9 suspects – who are currently in military custody – moved the Supreme Court seeking an extension and expedited conclusion of their trial in a military court. Demanded to order removal. “Meet the goal of justice”.
Nine of the over 100 suspects in Army custody filed their petitions in the top court through advocate-on-record.
In his petition, one of the suspects said, “Since the applicant is in the custody of the military authorities, he was never tortured even during the investigation, rather he and all the other accused were given better treatment, which was beyond.” Their expectations.”
In his petition, the suspect requested the military authorities to prosecute and otherwise deal with him under the provisions of the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and the rules made thereunder and provide speedy justice.
Riots broke out almost across the country on May 9 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan – who was ousted through a no-confidence vote in April last year – in the £190 million settlement case. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.
During the protests, miscreants targeted civilian and military establishments, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The army termed 9 May as “Black Day” and decided to prosecute the protesters under the Army Act.
final hearing
In response to the then government and army’s move to prosecute May 9 protesters in military courts, PTI chairman Imran Khan, former Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan and five civil society members, including the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research Karamat Ali, executive director of (Pilar), urged the top court to declare the military trials “unconstitutional”.
The preliminary hearing was marred by objections to the composition of the bench and judges abstaining from the hearing. Ultimately a six-member bench heard the petitions.
However, in the previous hearing on August 3, then Chief Justice Omar Ata Bandial had said that the top court would restrain the country’s army from resorting to any unconstitutional steps while hearing petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.
A six-member bench led by CJP and comprising Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Syed Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha Malik heard the case.
In the previous hearing, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan had assured the then CJP that the military trials would not proceed without informing the apex court, following which the case was adjourned indefinitely.
