Civilians’ military trials: SC refers case to judges’ committee for larger bench

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has referred the civilians’ military trials case to a judges’ committee for the formation of a larger bench. This move comes amidst ongoing deliberations over the controversial issue.

Chaired by Justice Aminuddin Khan, a six-judge apex court bench presided over the proceedings. Other members of the bench included Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

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The case originated from the annulment of military trials for 103 civilians allegedly implicated in the May 9 vandalism, triggered by the arrest of the former prime minister Imran Khan, back on October 23.

Initially, the apex court decreed in a unanimous ruling that the accused should face trial in civilian courts rather than military ones. However, later on December 13, in a majority verdict of 5-1, the Supreme Court conditionally suspended its earlier decision.

During the latest proceedings, the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) revealed that 20 of the 103 accused had been released before Eid. In response to queries from Justice Ali Mazhar regarding any additional charges against the released individuals, Aitzaz Ahsan intervened, expressing concern over their status as convicts now seemingly in hiding.

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The court directed the inclusion of the AGP’s statement in the official record and requested copies of the military courts’ verdicts to gain insight into the trial procedures.

Justice Jawad S Khawaja’s representative Khawaja Ahmad Hussain raised objections to the six-member bench hearing the case and advocated for the matter to be referred back to the judges’ committee for the formation of a larger nine-member bench.