CB rejects request to transfer military trial accused to regular jails

English , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Tuesday, December 10th, 2024

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The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has rejected the plea made by lawyer Latif Khosa to transfer military trial accused to regular jails. During the proceedings, the Additional Attorney General requested a postponement of the hearing, stating that the Defence Ministry’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, was ill and unable to attend due to stomach issues. The seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, accepted the adjournment request and postponed further proceedings until Thursday. The bench had been hearing a petition questioning the legality of trying civilians in military tribunals. During Tuesday’s proceedings, Latif Khosa, representing the petitioners, called on the court to transfer detainees to civilian jails. His plea was based on the argument that such a transfer would enable detainees to have meetings with their families, which had been a source of concern for their legal teams. However, Justice Aminuddin Khan rejected the request, stressing that the Attorney General had already assured the court that necessary arrangements for family meetings would be made. Justice Aminuddin Khan further emphasised that the focus should remain on the legal aspects of the case rather than procedural concerns. The court has adjourned the hearing until Thursday, with further proceedings expected to clarify the legality and future of military courts in trying civilian cases. Previously the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking the postponement of hearings in the intra-court appeals related to the trial of civilians in military courts. A seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, heard several petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts and seeking their annulment. Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Jawad S. Khawaja had filed a petition challenging the trial of civilians in military courts. Meanwhile, senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan had requested to suspend hearings until a decision on the 26th Constitutional Amendment petitions is reached. The court dismissed the plea and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on former chief justice Jawad S. Khawaja.