The Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected a plea seeking the constitution of a full court to hear a set of petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts, Geo News reported on Wednesday.
People in Pakistan have raised concerns over the ruling coalition's 'draconian laws' as they reflect on how such strict actions by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) restrict civil liberties and free speech, according to Dawn.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial said that the trial of those involved in the May 9 violence should not begin in military courts without informing the Pakistan Supreme Court.
Pakistan Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the federal government's request to constitute a full court bench to hear a set of pleas challenging the trial of civilians in the country's military courts.
The administration declared that anyone responsible for the mayhem on May 9—during which numerous government structures and military institutions were vandalized—would be tried in military courts.
When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was in power under former prime minister Imran Khan, 29 civilians were tried, found guilty, and sentenced in military courts. Inamur Rahim has petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) to overturn those decisions.
The Pakistan government has informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the civilian trials, in military courts, in relation to the violence incited on May 9 have not yet started
The Pakistan Supreme Court bench which was hearing the petitions filed against the trial of civilians in military courts got dissolved for the second time on Monday after the federal government raised objections to the inclusion of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah on the seven-member bench.
Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, on Monday, hoped that no one would be trialled in the military court, in connection with May 9, until the case's final outcome pending before the Supreme Court.
He also said that three army officers, including a lieutenant general, were sacked from their jobs as a part of the military's "self-accountability process" into the events.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan will "quickly" conclude the pleas against the prosecution of civilians in military courts, according to Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who declined to order a suspension of the proceedings on Thursday, Geo News reported.