ISLAMABAD: Two Judges, Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood separated themselves from the 9-member bench formed by the Supreme Court to hear the civilian’s trial in military courts. The bench now stands dissolved.
As per the very new information, the CJP has formed a 7-member bench to resume the hearing shortly.
A nine-member judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial started its hearing on Thursday (today) a set of four petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts.
The larger bench included Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yayha Afridi, Justice Sayyed
Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha Malik. Bench after initial hearing and giving remarks left the court.
Qazi Faez Isa said that till the time the case of the Practice and Procedure Bill is not decided he can not sit on any such bench for hearing. He also objected on the rearranging the cause list, where the trial of the last case was started first. The chairman PTI petition came late but was placed for hearing very early.
He said he is leaving the bench, but he is not refusing to hear the case.
He also said, “This is not a court”. It is better to clarify things in open court, said Justice Isa.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said, “We had formed the bench as per the oath taken of the Supreme Court of Pakistan”.
Chief Justice Bandial also said that he would form the bench again and there is also chance that the suspension of Rules and Procedure Bill might soon be lifted.
He also said, “We are sitting here for the service of the people”.
In the Rules and Procedure Bill, the Attorney General has taken time from the court and there is a chance that its suspension might be lifted.
After the objection of two senior judges, please do not repeat it, says the Chief Justice.
Reports are coming that as per the court staff the hearing of the bench would resume around 1:30 pm.
Hearing Resume with New Bench
Before the start of the hearing Chief Justice of Pakistan said, is there anyone who has concerns on the bench? On that, Ietezaz Ahsan and Attorney General Usman Awan said they have no objection.
The lawyer of petitioner Itezaz Ahsan, Latif Khosa started the arguments before the 7-member reconstituted bench after mid-day. Latif Khosa said that he is not in favor of any one who has done wrong should not be punished.
“Who soever has attacked the military installations, I have no sympathy for them”, remarked Latif Khosa.
“We want to stay in fact, the cases which are registered have many names”, remarked the CJP adding, “Are these statements taken from the military website”.
Court asked if there was anyone who has annexed the Corpse Commander Meeting Statement, on which Latif Khosa read the statement of the meeting and told the court that these statements are published on the ISPR website.
