The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court will hear the military courts case on January 7. The bench will review petitions challenging the military courts’ verdict regarding civilian trials for their involvement in attacks on military installations following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The hearing will continue through January 10.
A seven-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin, will hear appeals against the annulment of military court trials for civilians. The case stems from a Supreme Court ruling on October 23, 2023, declaring that trying civilians in military courts for their involvement in May 9 riots was unconstitutional. The court ordered that 103 individuals, including those connected to the May 9 and 10 events, be tried in criminal courts instead.
The government had previously decided to try individuals accused of attacking military installations during the May riots under military law. Violent protests erupted after Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, leading to attacks on key military sites such as the Corps Commander’s house in Lahore and the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
Following the arrests, a legal challenge was mounted by former Chief Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, senior lawyer Aitezaz Ahsan, and others, arguing that the trials in military courts were unconstitutional. They have requested the Supreme Court to declare these trials invalid.
