Islamabad:
The Apex Court has instructed anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) to end litigation from May 9 rebels on four months-one order that could have consequences for former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Court has also ordered the court courts to submit a two -week status report in the respective provincial high courts with regard to the trials.
A regular bench of the high member of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Tuesday heard the Punjab government’s petition, sought cancellation of bails given to people accused of resorting to vandalism after the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
During the case, the lawyer, who represented designer Khadeja Shah, urged one of the accused on May 9, the bench to ensure the protection of his client’s fundamental rights.
In response to the request, CJP asked the lawyer and his client to trust the ATCs and let them decide the cases. When he approached Khadeja’s lawyer, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar – a member of the bench – said it only his impression that his client’s right could be violated.
CJP noted that the law clearly states that ATCs would hold trials on a daily basis. Khadeja’s advice, Sameer Khosa, asked how trials could be completed in four months in view of the fact that his client was nominated in a series of first information reports (FIRs).
Ptis Faisal Chaundhry speaker, who was present in the courtroom, agreed to the claim of Khadeja’s lawyer. “Fifty -five cases are registered against us. How could ATCs decide so many cases in just four months?” He asked.
CJ asked Chaudhry who he represented. The lawyer replied that he represented a co-appeal Fawad Chaudhry-a former PTI leader and federal minister. At this, Justice Yahya noted that the bench would not hear him, as the case with his client was not listed for consultation.
Faisal stated that although his client was not a party to the immediate cases, but SC’s observations and directions had an impact on him. “My client faces 35 FIRS OVER PUNJAB for a single event. This is a violation of wounded principles.”
He said the ATCs are conducting litigation on May 9, accused in military court style.
“Our fundamental rights to fair trial have been negated by court courts. The prosecution’s criteria for involving people in May 9 cases are simple: Those who left PTI have been left by the hook, while those who do not face several attempts.
He pleaded for having erected his case for consultation. CJP noted that the other cases related to May 9 will be listed for consultation next Monday and Tuesday.
Justice Afridi noticed that he was Chief Justice for Peshawar High Court when Mashaal Khan was lightened by a mob at Marran University. “An ATC concluded the lawsuit against Mashaal Khan’s case in three months. Have kind confidence in ATCs. They can perform,” added CJ.
When he spoke with Express Pakinomist, Faisal Chaudhry said he was pretty amazed at the absence of PTI’s legal team, as SC’s Directive will just affect PTI founder Imran Khan, a co-appeal in many cases 9 May, including the GHQ attack case.
“ATCs are holding joint litigation over the accused on May 9. Therefore, directions apply to one of the defendants for all co-accused,” he added.
Faisal said that SC’s intention could be Bona Fide. However, he feared that the ATCs misunderstand the point of view and award judgments to the defendants without following the principles of fair trial and by overlooking evidence.
Punjab Govt’s report
The Punjab government presented a report to the Supreme Court on the violent incidents on May 9, stating that the riots caused a loss of RS197 million in Punjab, and 24,595 accused in the 9th of the May cases is still largely.
According to the report, actions of vandalism and property damage occurred in 38 cities over Punjab on May 9. In Lahore alone, property worth RS110 million was damaged. Similarly, injuries in Rawalpindi RS26 million and in Mianwali amounted to RS50 million.
The Punjab Government’s lawyer stated in the report that May 9 was not only a protest or rally, but an attack on an institution.
According to the report, 319 cases were registered in 38 districts in Punjab in connection with the events on May 9. The total number of accused in these cases is 35,962, of which 11,367 have been arrested.
The report also states that the violent protests on May 9 caused the country a total loss of RS 197,348 million, and 152 police officers and staff were injured due to the violence.
