The Supreme Court has declared that the trial of civilians in militarycourts cannot be conducted in military courts. It declared Section 2(D)(1)of the Army Act unconstitutional by a majority of 4-1.
The court has ruled that the 102 civilians accused of May 9 violence cannotbe tried in military courts and their cases should be heard in civiliancriminal courts.
Earlier today, the court had reserved its judgement in the case.
A five-member bench, headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, took up the casetoday. The bench also included Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi,Justice Ayesha Malik and Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.
The court disposed of nine petitions against the trial as withdrawn.
Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awaz, and petitioners’ lawyersLatif Khosa and Salman Akram Raja are also present in court. Also presentis Ahmed Hussain, the lawyer for petitioner, former chief justice ofPakistan Jawad S Khawaja.
Read Top Stories
The AGP said he would like to apprise the court of why a constitutionalamendment was not necessary in this case, as well as talk about Article 175.
The trial of those accused of May 9 violence will be held in the militarycourts on the style of civil courts, testimonies will be recorded, and thedecision contain detailed reasons.
The case of attacks on unauthorized areas and buildings can also be triedin military courts, the AGP said.