SC orders AGP to ensure meetings of civilians facing military trials with their families

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed the attorney-general of Pakistan (AGP) to ensure meetings of the PTI workers and supporters, presently in military custody in connection with the incidents of violence on May 9, with their families, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During the hearing of an intra-court appeal filed by the government against the decision declaring the trial of civilians in military courts null and void, the AGP told the court that the issue had been resolved and it was surprising for him why the suspects were not being allowed to meet with their families now.

A seven-member larger bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ameenuddin Khan, heard the appeal.

Other members on the bench were Justice Jamal Mandokhel, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat and Justice Shahid Bilal.

The lawyers, representing the PTI workers, told the bench that those in military custody were being treated badly.

Salman Akram Raja said that the suspects had not been allowed to meet with their families for the last five weeks.  

Seconding Barrister Raja’s statement, Advocate Latif Khosa told the court that the civilians had been kept in a despicable condition.

Justice Jamal Mandokhel asked the lawyers how they could make such a statement when they had just said that families were not being allowed to meet with the suspects.

The lawyers replied that those who met these people earlier said that they had seen them with their hands tied.  

Justice Shahid Waheed said that the bench was still to explain section 5 of the Practice and Procedure Act. “Right now, rules have not been framed to file an appeal under the Act,” he remarked.

Addressing the attorney-general of Pakistan, the judge said that either the government could not file an appeal until and unless the rules were framed or every party could do so.

The court accepted the Bar Association’s lawyer Hamid Khan’s request to become a party to the case.

Later, the court adjourned the case’s hearing until July 11.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori