Apex Court declares military trials of the civilians null & void.

ISLAMABAD -- The Supreme Court on Monday declared trials of civilians arrested following violent protests in the country on May 9 in military courts null and void. The apex court announced its short verdict after reserving its decision following proceedings in the case earlier today on a set of petitions questioning the legitimacy of trying civilians in military courts. The court, by a majority of 4 to 1, has held that the trial of civilians under Section 2 D (i) (ii) of the Army Act is unconstitutional. The five-member bench unanimously declared that civilians would be tried under ordinary criminal laws. Justice Yahya Afridi reserved judgement on the validity of Section 2 D (i) (ii).

"Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the trials of civilians and accused persons, being around 103 persons who were identified in the list provided to the Court by the learned Attorney General for Pakistan by way of CMA No.5327 of 2023 in Constitution Petition No.24 of 2023 and all other persons who are now or may at any time be similarly placed in relation to the events arising from and out of 9th and 10th May, 2023 shall be tried by Criminal Courts of competent jurisdiction established under the ordinary and / or special law of the land in relation to such offences of which they may stand accused," read the...