Military trials: SC reserves verdict on second plea seeking formation of full bench

Civil society members seek constitution of full court, other petitioners satisfied with six-member bench

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court reserved on Tuesday its decision on a plea filed by civil society members seeking the constitution of a full court to hear a set of petitions challenging the trial of civilians by military courts.

The decision is expected to be issued at 11.30am tomorrow (Wednesday).

The bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A Malik, had earlier rejected the federal government’s plea to form a full court for the case.

However, earlier this week a fresh application seeking the same was moved by advocate Faisal Siddiqi on behalf of civil society members.

The counsels of other petitioners, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, former CJP Jawwad S Khawaja and senior politician Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, all expressed confidence in the existing six-member bench.

They opposed the referring of the matter to a full court.

Meanwhile, during the hearing Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan maintained before the court that caution was exercised while conducting inquiries against civilians.

“Only people directly involved were sent to military courts. Those who entered the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence were sent to military courts,” he said.

Read SC emphasises May 9 rioters’ right of appeal

Elaborating on details of arrests made following May 9, the AGP informed the court that seven people were in custody for attacking the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, four persons attacked the army institute, 28 persons were involved in the vandalism of the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, 15 suspects are under custody for the attacks on army garrisons in Multan and Gujranwala, eight persons were arrested for attacking an office of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency in Faisalabad while five people were apprehended for attacking the PAF Air Base in Mianwali.

Besides, 14 people were in custody for the attack in Chakdra, seven for the Punjab Regiment Centre in Mardan, three for attacks in Abbottabad and 10 suspects were believed to be involved in the Bannu Garrison attack.

The AGP submitted a report detailing the instances of all attacks carried out on military installations on May 9 and informing that a total of 102 suspects have been sent for military trials.

However, as the proceedings continued, Justice Ayesha noted that the reasons for sending suspects over to military courts were not specified in the magistrate’s orders.

Similarly, Justice Naqvi observed that it appeared only photographs were collected in the “name of evidence”.

The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow with the top court’s decision awaited on the matter of the full bench.