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Islamabad (Daily Pakistan Online) Pakistan’s Supreme Court has granted military courts permission to deliver verdicts on 85 accused individuals. The court stipulated that the verdicts of special courts will be subject to the outcome of a pending case in the Supreme Court. The court also instructed that accused individuals who are eligible for sentence concessions should be released, while those who are not should be transferred to jails after sentencing.
A seven-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin, heard a petition challenging the trial of civilians in military courts. The court postponed all other cases except those related to military courts. Justice Aminuddin emphasized that only cases involving military courts would be heard that day.
During the hearing, Defense Ministry lawyer Khawaja Haris presented arguments, addressing concerns about the repealed provisions of the Army Act. Justice Jamal Mandokhel inquired about the possibility of amending the Army Act to bring everyone under its category. Haris acknowledged flaws in the Supreme Court’s decision, prompting Justice Jamal Mandokhel to caution against disrespecting the court’s decision.
The discussion also touched on the Army Act’s provisions and its implications on fundamental rights. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel noted that individuals who join the army do so voluntarily and are aware that the Army Act will apply to them. The lawyer for the Ministry of Defense emphasized that fundamental rights end only when a crime is committed.
The court’s decision has significant implications for the trial of civilians in military courts. The Supreme Court’s verdict on the pending case will ultimately determine the fate of the accused individuals.
