The Supreme Court’s 7-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin, has rejected the government’s plea to allow military courts to decide cases involving civilians. The bench stated that granting such permission would imply acceptance of military courts’ jurisdiction over civilian matters.
Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that allowing military courts to decide cases could undermine the constitutional framework. The court dismissed the plea and adjourned the hearing on the matter until tomorrow.
Earlier, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000 on former Chief Justice Jawad S. Khawaja’s lawyer for requesting a delay in proceedings until the decision on the 26th Constitutional Amendment petitions. The lawyer refused to recognize the court’s jurisdiction, prompting Justice Jamal Mandokhail to ask him to leave the courtroom.
Justice Musarrat Hilali emphasized that protecting civilians’ fundamental rights remains the court’s primary responsibility. The court deemed the petition by former Chief Justice Jawad S. Khawaja as frivolous and dismissed it outright.
