SC dismisses govt plea seeking permission for military court to announce judgments

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) rejected the federal government’s plea to allow military courts to announce case judgments.

A 7-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the petitions related to the military courts to announce case verdicts.

Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that allowing military courts to adjudicate cases would mean recognizing the authority of military courts.

The constitution bench rejected the government’s request to allow military courts to announce the cases judgment.

A constitution bench of the Supreme Court adjourned till tomorrow the hearing on pleas related to trial of civilians in military courts.

On the other hand, Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected petitions to suspend hearing of appeals against trials of civilian under Army Act until the court decides the fate of the petitions against 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan was hearing a petition, filed by the former Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Jawad S Khwaja, not to hear the petition regarding trial of civilian under military act until the court concludes hearing of the pleas against 26th Constitutional Amendment.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs20,000 on the former chief justice.

Responding to a question, counsel for Justice Jawad S Khwaja argued before the Court that the Constitutional Bench, hearing the said petition, is constituted under the 26 Constitutional Amendment that is already challenged in the Court.

What will be the fate of its judgment if the SCP undo 26 Amendment. The Counsel said he can’t accept the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Bench until the SCP decides the petition against 26 Amendment.

The Court was annoyed with the statement and advised the lawyer to leave the court if he doesn’t accept it. The Court imposed a fine of Rs20000 on the petitioner terming his petition an attempt to delay the proceedings.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that even if the Court undo the 26 Amendment, judgments of the Constitutional Bench will remain protected.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail observed that the Constitutional Bench is working under the 26 Amendment and the petition against the said Amendment will be heard by the same Bench.

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Ms Justice Musarrat Hilali regretted attempts to delay the hearing saying that civilian who are in military confinement would not like to postpone the proceedings.