Islamabad: A new twist has arrived in trials of civilians against in military court case as counsel of civil society Faisal Siddique has insisted to constitute a full court while petitioners counsel Salman Akram Raja, lawyer of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Abid Zuberi and chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) advocate Shoaib Shaheen opposed the appeal. Will the SC form the full court or not? the top court has reserved the verdict and will pronounce tomorrow.
Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandiyal along with other five judges which included Justice Muzzahir Naqvi, Justice Aijaz Ul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Ayesha Malik, heard the case against the trials of civilians in military courts.
Attorney General presented details of 102 arrested persons in the SC. Justice Muzzahir Naqvi remarked that the law does’nt allow pick and choose that few persons be selected from the crowd.
To which, the Attorney General apprised that there was no pick and choose conducted as those people who were directly involved sent to the military courts.
Justice Naqvi questioned that have only pictorial evidences exist against the accused? to which, Attorney General adopted the point of view that after taking instructions from relevant officials he can inform the court.
Counsel Faisal Siddique said that when there is a fear of clash between the institutions then there is a need to form a full court.
The CJ responded that some judges have recused to be part of the case how the full court can be formed? While Aitazaz Ahsan conditionally agreeing the suggestion said that all the accused be sent to jail in the custody of the court then he is agree on the formation of the full court.
Counsel Lateef Khosa opposing the suggestion said that this six-member bench is a full court. While PTI chief lawyer also opposed the suggestion while he said that unannounced martial has imposed in the country so the bench can’t be formed on the government wish.
The SC reserved the verdict on the formation of a full bench which will be announced tomorrow.
