Trial of civilians in military courts: SC takes up appeals against its judgment today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will take up today (Wednesday) intra-court appeals (ICAs) against its judgement declaring trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional.

A six-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan will resume hearing in the ICAs. Other members of the bench are Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Musarat Hilali, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

On October 23, 2023, a five-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsen and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A Malik, had declared the trial of civilians in the military courts as unconstitutional and held that 103 persons and others, who may be placed in relation to the May 9 and May 10 events, could be tried by criminal courts established under the ordinary or special law of the land. The court by a majority 4-1 had declared the trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional. The federal caretaker government had prayed the apex court to allow its appeal, set aside the judgement and dismiss the petitions that had challenged the trial of civilians in military courts with cost.