During the hearing of the appeals against the decision to try civilians in military courts in the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, the arguments of civil society lawyer Faisal Siddiqui Advocate were completed. Justice Jamal Mandokhel remarked that whoever committed the crime, there should be punishment, it doesn’t matter where the trial takes place.
A 7-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Aminuddin heard the case. During the hearing, on the question of Justice Muhammad Ali, civil society lawyer Faisal Siddiqui said that there were a total of 105 accused, out of which 20 accused were released.
The Additional Attorney General said that 19 more were released after 20, currently there are 66 accused in jails. Faisal Siddiqui said that it is customary in America that at the end of arguments, the parties are given the right to a proposed judgment, which is also an alternative to a court martial.
Justice Jamal Mandokhel said that whoever committed the crime should be punished, what difference does it make whether the trial is here or there. Concluding his arguments, Faisal Siddiqui said that there is a world of difference in trials, one trial is independent and the other is in the military, the cases in the May 9 incidents are of sabotage, where there is a threat to the defense of Pakistan, a civilian can be tried in military courts.
Petitioner Bushra Qamar’s lawyer Abid Zuberi, while starting his arguments, said that the Attorney General had informed about the legislation granting the right to appeal and this position was adopted by the government in the court.
The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow. Lawyer Abid Zuberi will continue his arguments tomorrow.
