Rawalpindi:
It has been over two weeks since a regular bench of the Supreme Court (SC) led by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Yayha Afridi ordered Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCS) the hearing 9 May rebel cases to end the trial in four months.
However, the ATCs in Punjab have not yet received the SC order “through proper channels”.
The APEX Court on April 8 ordered the ATCs to complete attempt at 9 May rebels on four months-one order that will have consequences for former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
The court also ordered the court courts to submit a two -week status report in the respective provincial high courts with regard to the trials.
Sources at Rawalpindi ATC told Express Pakinomist that the SC order has not yet been received by any ATC.
They first said that the order will be received by the Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Office.
From there, via the LHC registrar, it will be sent to ATC judge Shahbaz Rizvi, who will convene a special meeting regarding this case. Then the decision is sent through decent channels to all 11 ATCs in Punjab, including the one operating in Rawalpindi.
They later said that a mechanism will be developed – in consultation with defense attorneys, government attorneys and senior police officers – to ensure quick hearings in cases on May 9. Senior police officers will be responsible for ensuring that witnesses timely appearance on the given dates.
Defense Attorney Faisal Malik Advocate told Express Pakinomist that a request has been made on behalf of Imran Khan to consolidate all cases on May 9 to a joint trial.
“A verdict could only be expected within four months if all cases were heard together by a single judge in one place. Otherwise, the cases may be dragging for years.”
Meanwhile, investigative teams submitted from five different police stations in Attock Charging Sheet to ATC in Rawalpindi in all 15 different cases of vandalism filed following PTI’s protests on November 25 and November 26.
