SC military court's verdict against parliament, govt: Minister

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the verdict of Supreme Court over military courts is against parliament and the government of Pakistan, ARY News reported.

Speaking in ARY News programme “Khabar” the interior minister said that the civil courts are not strong enough to convict suspects whereas the military courts hold speedy trials.

He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan should be tried in the military courts, and if the military installations are attacked then their trials must also be held in military courts.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry filed an appeal in the Supreme Court (SC) against the decision of a five-member bench, declaring as ‘unconstitutional’ the trial of civilians in military courts.

On Oct 23 ruling, the Supreme Court (SC) declared that trying civilians in military courts for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed PTI chairman Imran Khan’s arrest was ultra vires the Constitution.

Headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the bench ruled that 103 identified persons, as well as others who were or might be similarly placed on the list in relation to the events arising from and out of May 9 and 10, be tried by criminal courts of competent jurisdiction under the ordinary and/or special law of the land.

The petitions, questioning the legitimacy of trying civilians in military courts, were filed by former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja, senior lawyer Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan and others.