Another petition has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC), seeking formation of a full court to hear the petition against the trials of civilians in military courts, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
In his miscellaneous plea, filed through Faisal Siddiqui Advocate, Karamat Ali has argued that since the case of trials of civilians in military courts is of public interest, therefore it merits formation of a full court.
He has reminded the apex court that in the past, too, either a nine-member or a full court heard the case related to military courts. “The federal government, too, had requested for that, which was turned down,” the petitioner has said, adding, “Federal ministers, too, have publicly criticized the present bench. Besides that, one of the judges on the bench, Justice Yahya Afridi, has also called for the formation of a full court.”
He goes on to say it is not necessary that a full court consists of all judges. “Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial can include all available judges in the bench,” he has said, adding, “The attorney general of Pakistan has already assured that so far not a single civilian’s trial has begun in a military court.”
The petitioner hopes that the verdict given by a full court will be acceptable to all.
Reporter Amanat Gishkori