ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) judge Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that apex court’s verdict would hold no legal value without hearing by full court. Court issued order on trial of civilians in military courts following June 23 hearing. During hearing, Attorney General presented list of civilians taken into custody by military in federation and provinces and argued that no suspect for May 9 attacks was present in capital city. “As many as 616 suspects were taken into custody in Punjab, 172 in Sindh and four in KP,” he added. Authorities in Balochistan, he told, did not provide any details.

AG said that 42 out of 81 women detained in Punjab post May 9 attacks were either acquitted or released on bail, adding that 39 women were in judicial custody. “As many as 102 people are detained by military that do not include children, journalists, or lawyers,” he added.

Justice Yahya also stressed formation of full-court and remarked that he did not agree with objections raised by Justice Qazi Faez Isa. “I do not deem it suitable to comment on legal standing of SC’s proceedings,” he remarked.

He remarked that case must be heard in full-court for harmony and balance irrespective of objections raised by Justice Isa. “Justice system stands on public trust,” he remarked.

He said that SC bench was being talked about at time when elections were nearing. “However, more serious thing is objections raised bench members on bench,” he remarked. “CJP Bandial should pay attention to objections because it is matter of public trust,” he remarked.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 28 2023

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