SC hints at winding up hearing of civilians military trial case in two days
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The constitutional bench (CB) of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday hinted at concluding the hearing of intra-court appeals filed against declaring the trials of civilians in military courts null and void in two days, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A seven-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the appeals.
During the hearing, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel said that whenever a violation of a law took place, it was against the state’s interests.
The judge asked whether the Jaffar Express tragedy that took place in Balochistan a few weeks ago was not against the state’s interests. “The primary duty of the armed forces is to protect the country,” he added.
Counsel for the Ministry of Defence Khawaja Haris, on the occasion, said that the crimes committed on May 9 were against the state’s interests.
He expressed surprise as how the armed forces would defend the country when there would be attacks like the ones that took place on May 9.
Justice Mandokhel reminded him that it was not a matter to become emotional about. “It is the matter that relates to the country’s security.”
The judge wondered how the law could apply to a conspiracy, which had not even been hatched.
Haris replied that the Army Act applied even when a conspiracy had been hatched.
Later, the hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.
Khawaja Haris will continue to give his arguments tomorrow as well.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori