Civilians’ military trial: SC verdict on plea for formation of full court tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: A six-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a fresh petition seeking the formation of a full court to hear pleas challenging the military trials of civilians.

The bench comprised Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A. Malik.

Earlier, the apex court had rejected the federal government’s plea to constitute a full court for the case.

However, a fresh application pertaining to the matter was moved yesterday by senior counsel Faisal Siddiqi on behalf of civil society members. “The full court should include all judges willing and available for the adjudication on the fundamental and complex constitutional and legal questions,” it said.

The petition further stated that the petitioners would have no objection if all the judges of the SC were part of the proposed full court.

“It is categorically stated that unlike the government’s malafide actions, the petitioners have no objection, whatsoever, on any judge willing and available to hear this case,” it added.

Read more: Supreme Court returns Aun Chaudhry’s plea seeking ban on PTI

During today’s hearing, the CJP discussed the plea with the other petitioners in the case, following which the apex court reserved its verdict on Siddiqi’s application. Justice Bandial said the bench would announce its decision after holding a discussion. He added that lawyers would be informed in case of a delay in the verdict.

However, a court associate later told reporters gathered outside the SC building that the reserved verdict would be announced tomorrow (Wednesday).