May 9 accused 'show faith' in military courts

Approach SC seeking to become party in case challenging military trials against 102 civilians

ISLAMABAD:

Nine individuals, currently in military custody for their alleged involvement in the attack on military installations on May 9, have expressed their faith and confidence in the military authorities to deliver justice to them in their cases.

The accused, who are being tried in different military courts in the country, have approached the Supreme Court, seeking to become a party in a case wherein the trial of 102 civilians in military courts is currently being challenged.

They have moved separate civil miscellaneous applications (CMAs) through their counsel Sajid Ilyas. The CMAs are also fixed before the five-judge larger bench of the apex court led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan hearing a petition challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.

The applicants have expressed all faith and confidence in the military authorities to provide justice to them and all other accused persons. “Therefore, we are requesting the military authorities that we may be tried and otherwise dealt under the provisions of Pakistan Army Act 1952 and Rules made thereunder and justice should be provided expeditiously,” the application read.

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It stated that the applicants willingly made an application to the commanding officer without any pressure or coercion.
“The applicants are the affected party, whose valuable rights are involved in the pending cases.”

If the applicants are not impleaded as a party in the case and may not be heard, they shall suffer irresponsible loss as they will be deprived of valuable legal rights, it added.

Therefore, being aggrieved, they are the necessary and proper party to be impleaded in the case for redressal of their grievances.

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The applicants are the accused involved in the May 9 incident for attacking different military installations and are in the custody of military authorities for the purposes of investigation and trial, hence are the aggrieved party in the subject matter.

As they are under the custody of the military authorities, they were never tortured even during the course of the investigation, rather better treatment was given to him and all other accused which was beyond their expectations, it added.

A series of violent incidents took place on May 9 following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan from the grounds of the high court in Islamabad. Demonstrations held by alleged PTI supporters descended into violent riots. There was extensive damage done to government and military facilities as a result of the protests fast becoming violent and engaging law enforcement.