The defence ministry’s lawyer, Khawaja Haris, on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench that the alleged masterminds and conspirators of the May 9 “conspiracy” would be tried in military courts.
The bench, including Justices Aminuddin Khan, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Shahid Bilal Hassan, is hearing a case pertaining to the military trials — and recent sentencing — of civilians for their role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed ex-premier Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023.
In recent hearings, SC judges have questioned why the accused were “specifically” tried in military courts instead of anti-terrorism courts, with Justice Mandokhail observing that “the executive cannot play the role of judiciary”.
A day ago, Justice Hilali wondered whether the Pakistan Army Act (PAA), 1952, outlined any punishment for officers who suspend the Constitution.
During today’s hearing, Advocate Haris, who appeared as the defence ministry’s lawyer, in response to a question, said that trials of the conspirators and masterminds would also be held in the military courts.
While continuing his arguments from yesterday, the defence ministry lawyer presented Sheikh Liaquat Hussain’s case as an example of a civilian being tried in military court.
Justice Rizvi asked whether an army officer was tried for their involvement in the events on May 9.
“How did the people reach the corps commander’s house without any weapons,” he asked, terming the intrusion a “security failure”.
