Supreme Court of Pakistan Reserves Verdict on Civilians' Military Trials
The Supreme Court's decision will determine the fate of civilians tried in military courts, and whether they have the right to appeal against their convictions. The verdict will also have implications for the government's policy on military courts and the trial of civilians, and will be seen as a test of the judiciary's independence and commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The Supreme Court's Constitutional Bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, has reserved its verdict on appeals against the decision to declare the trial of civilians in military courts null and void, with a decision expected to be announced within the week.
The bench is reviewing whether the trial of civilians in military courts is constitutional or not, following a 2023 verdict that granted conditional permission for military courts to try 85 suspects in the May 9, 2023, riots. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan argued that the May 9 riots were a pre-planned attack on military installations, and disciplinary action was taken against officers for negligence.
The court questioned the AGP about the right of appeal for civilians tried in military courts, with Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan asking why the government had not taken steps to provide this right despite the Supreme Court's previous observations. The AGP responded that the Court could direct the government to provide the right of appeal, but not the Parliament, and that the right is already available in the Army Act.
The hearing was attended by TV analyst Niazi, whose son was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his involvement in the May 9 riots. The Supreme Court had declared the trial of civilians in military courts null and void, citing humanitarian grounds, and later accepted mercy pleas from 19 convicts.
The reserved verdict is expected to provide clarity on the trial of civilians in military courts, and its impact on the justice system in Pakistan. The decision will be closely watched by legal experts, human rights activists, and the general public, as it has significant implications for the rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country.