Umar Ata Bandial, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), on Wednesday, set up a larger bench of nine members to hear petitions against the prosecution of civilians in military courts.
The Chief Justice led the bench to take up the petitions on Thursday at 11:45 am. Other members of the bench include Senior Puisne Judge Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi.
Jawwad S Khawaja, a former Chief Justice of Pakistan, recently filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of civilian trials in military courts.
The petition was filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, naming the Federation of Pakistan as the respondent through the law, defense secretaries, and provincial chief secretaries.
Khawaja underscored that the petition did not intend to attack or support any political party or institution. Still, it aimed to raise a critical constitutional question involving fundamental rights that necessitate adjudication under the current circumstances.
Appeal for Early Hearing
Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan and Barrister Sardar Latif Khosa recently met with CJP Bandial to deliberate on pressing legal matters. During their hour-long meeting, the senior lawyers updated the CJP about significant constitutional petitions filed in the apex court concerning citizens’ fundamental rights and the Constitution’s supremacy.
Barrister Ahsan informed CJP Bandial about his constitutional petition that challenged the trials of civilians in military courts and urged the Chief Justice to prioritize the matter in the apex court.
