Army court verdict: Govt contests stay on 6 militants’ execution

Asks SC to revoke the order, calling it premature

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government made it known to the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it had serious reservations about the court’s decision to stay six militants’ execution.

On behalf of the government, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Muhammad Waqar Rana submitted a six-page reply in the apex court, requesting dismissal of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)’s application against the military court’s verdict to execute six militants.

On April 16, a 17-judge full court had stayed the execution of six men convicted of terrorism by a military court established under the 21st amendment.

The government also urged the top court to determine if a person who has waged a war against Pakistan and is not loyal to the state could still be entitled to protection of his fundamental rights under the constitution.

“The convicts were apprehended during operations in Fata for waging a war against the state. They were in lawful custody under the law,” reads the government’s response.

The reply said the six men had slaughtered army and Frontier Corps personnel, trained would-be suicide bombers, attacked civilians and important installations, causing many deaths and injuries.

“They were also involved in kidnappings for ransom, possessing explosives and collecting funds for terrorist organisations.”

The government said these terrorists convicted by the Field General Court Martial under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 had an efficacious and adequate remedy under the act, adding that under the act there were a number of steps – including sending a mercy petition to the army chief as envisaged under Section 131(1) of the act, an appeal under Section 133(b) and then sending a mercy petition to the president – that could be taken before the punishment was executed. “This process takes about six months.”

The document said the six men were convicted only few days ago; therefore, the top court’s stay order was rather premature, particularly when other remedies were yet to be exhausted.

“The procedure provided under the law was duly followed by the military court during the trial of the six militants.”

Another objection raised by the federal government was that the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction in the matter was yet to be determined; therefore, the apex court’s order would amount to assumption of jurisdiction. “Moreover, the SCBA is not the aggrieved party and there is a presumption of abstract grounds.”

The government said the convicts were afforded full opportunity to defend themselves during their trials, as provided under the act.

The petitioner has failed to show how the provisions of Article 10-A were violated in the military courts, it added. “The apex court has already declared trials by military courts as ‘fair trials’.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2015.