ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Tuesday turned down a petition filed bygovernment for formation of a full bench to hear the petitions challengingthe civilian’s trial in military courts.
A six-judge larger bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) UmarAta Bandial and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar,Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and JusticeAyesha A Malik, is heard the pleas.
The pleas were filed by former CJP Jawwad S Khawaja, Aitzaz Ahsan, KaramatAli, and PTI Chairman Imran Khan after several suspects of May 9 violencewere handed over to military for trial.
Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, Supreme Court BarAssociation (SCBA) President Abid Zuberi and others were present in thecourt.
During the hearing, the AGP requested the court to establish a full courtbench to hear the petitions. In reply, the CJP rejected the plea due tounavailability of judges. The top court remarked that it was not possibleto entertain the plea this time as judges were on summer vacation.
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Later, CJP Bandia rejected the plea and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow(July 19).
At the outset of the hearing, Abid Zuberi came to the rostrum and said hewould assist the apex court on five points. At which, the CJP welcomed hisviews.
