PTI slams caretaker govts for challenging SC verdict on military courts

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and senior lawyer Hamid Khan has slammed the incumbent caretaker governments in the Centre and provinces for challenging the Supreme Court’s decision declaring the military trial of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 as unconstitutional.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Monday, Khan said the interim governments have no mandate to file review appeals against an SC verdict. His remarks came after the caretaker federal and provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan on Friday filed intra-court appeals against the apex court’s October 23 judgment. The same day a petition was also filed by the defence ministry and federal government challenging the verdict. Earlier, the Sindh caretaker government and others separately requested the apex court to set aside its judgment declaring unconstitutional the trials of civilians in military courts. However, the Sindh government later denied doing so. The PTI leader, addressing a press conference termed the caretaker governments as “unconstitutional”, adding that their term has expired. The senior lawyer added that the Constitution was being violated in the country. “Caretaker governments cannot interfere in constitutional matters.”

Lauding the apex court’s decision on military courts, the lawyer emphasised that the military courts were challenged by the Supreme Court Bar Association. “All lawyers are in favour of the decision given by the SC.”

Lahore High Court Bar Association President Choudhary Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan also reiterated that lawyers stand by the apex court and can never accept military courts. Paying tribute to the judges for the verdict to quash civilian trials, he demanded that caretaker governments must withdraw their appeals immediately.

Lahore High Court Bar Association Vice President Rabia Bajwa said the SC has given a decision according to the Constitution and law. She also lamented the Senate for approving a resolution on the military courts. She also urged to stop the exploitation of women political workers.