Convicted officers' kin told to approach naval chief for relief.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court on Monday asked the relatives of five convicted naval officers to file a representation before the naval chief to seek any relief.

An IHC division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani also directed the naval authorities to share details of the trial proceeding against these officers with the defence counsel.

Assistant Attorney General FarArukh Dall pointed out that the record in the case was sensitive in nature and sharing its details might not be in the national interest.

'This is a case of capital punishment, the convict would be hanged, they have every right to get through the relevant record,' remarked Justice Farooq.

The bench observed that if the record was sensitive, the defence counsel might be instructed not to release it to the media or any other person.

At the outset, Mr Dall challenged the maintainability of the petition, saying that under the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, after the conviction in a court martial and upholding of sentence by the naval court of appeal, the convict might file representation before the naval chief.

He said that under Section 135 of the ordinance, the naval chief has the authority to set aside or reduce the sentence or completely quash the trial proceedings.

The bench asked the defence counsel, retired Lt Col Inamur Rahim, and retired Major Waheed, as well as the convicts' relatives to file the representation before the naval chief first. It said the relatives might return to the court in case their grievances were not addressed.

A Navy tribunal sentenced five officers to death on Sept 6, 2014, in the Karachi Naval Dockyard attack case. Five were charged with having links with the militant...