Islamabad:
The Apex Court ordered the anti -terrorist courts (ATC) to conclude trials from the rioters of May 9 in four months – an order which could have implications for the former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The court also ordered the courts of first instance to submit bimonthly advancement reports in the respective provincial courts concerning trials.
A regular bench of three members of the Supreme Court led by the chief judge of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi heard the request of the government of Punjab on Tuesday requesting the annulment of bonds given to those accused of resorting to vandalism after the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
During the procedure, the lawyer representing designer Khadeja Shah, one of May 9 accused, urged the bench to protect the fundamental rights of his client.
Responding to the request, the CJP Afrifi asked the lawyer and his client to have confidence in the ATCS and let them decide on business. Addressing Khadeja’s lawyer, judge Salahuddin Panhwar – a member of the bench – made it simply impression that his client’s right could be raped.
The CJP noted that the law clearly stipulates that the ATCs would hold trials daily. Khadeja’s lawyer, Sameer Khosa, asked how the trials could be concluded in four months since his client was appointed in a number of first information reports (FIR).
PTI’s Chaundhry Advocate Faisal, which was present in the courtroom, agreed with the affirmation of Khadeja’s lawyer. “Thirty-five cases are recorded against us. How could ATCS decide so many cases in just four months?” He asked.
The CJ asked Chaudhry to know who he represented. The lawyer replied that he represented a co -accused Fawad Chaudhry – a former PTI chief and federal minister. On this subject, judge Yahya noted that the bench would not hear it because the case of his client was not listed to hear.
Faisal said that although his client was not a party in instantaneous cases, SC’s observations and instructions had the intimidator. “My client faces 35 First through Punjab in a single event. It is a violation of established principles.”
He said the ATCs conduct May 9 trials accused in the style of military courts.
“Our fundamental rights of the fair trial were canceled by the courts of first instance. The criteria of the accusation to involve people in the cases of May 9 are simple: those who left the PTI were left out while those who did not face several tests.
He pleaded to list his file to hear. The CJP observed that the other cases linked to May 9 will be registered to hear on Monday and next Tuesday.
Judge Afridi noted that he was the chief judge of the High Court of Peshawar when Mashaal Khan was lynched by a crowd at the University of Mardan. “An ATC concluded the trial of the Mashaal Khan affair in three months. I kindly trust ATC. They can play,” added the CJ.
Speaking to L’Express PK Press Club, Faisal Chaudhry said it was rather surprised by the absence of the PTI legal team because the SC directive will also affect the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, who is co-accused in many cases of May 9, including the GHQ attack affair.
“The ATCs hold joint tests by the May 9 accused. Therefore, the instructions for one of the accused apply to all co-accused,” he added.
Faisal said that SC’s intention could be in good faith. However, he feared, the ATCS will interpret the ordinance of the Court of Apex and will give sentences to the accused without following the principles of a fair trial and neglecting evidence.
Punjab Govt report
The Punjab government has submitted a report to the Supreme Court concerning the violent incidents of May 9, declaring that the riots caused a loss of 197 million rupees in Punjab, and 24,595 accused in the affairs of May 9 are still in freedom.
According to the report, acts of vandalism and material damage took place in 38 cities of Punjab on May 9. In Lahore, in Lahore, goods worth 10 million rupees have been damaged. Likewise, damage to Rawalpindi amounted to 26 million rupees and Mianwali at 50 million rupees.
Punjab government lawyer said in the report that May 9 was not just a demonstration or a rally, but an attack on an institution.
According to the report, 319 cases were recorded in 38 Punjab districts in connection with the May 9 incidents. The total number of accused in these cases is 35,962, of which 11,367 of which were arrested.
The report also indicates that violent protests on May 9 caused the country a total loss of RS 197,348 million, and 152 police and staff were injured due to violence.
