LAHORE: In Lahore, Hamid Khan, a leader from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a senior lawyer, strongly criticized the current interim governments at the federal and provincial levels. He condemned their move to challenge the Supreme Court’s ruling, deeming the military trial of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 as unconstitutional.
During a press conference today, Khan firmly stated that interim administrations lack the authority to file review appeals against a decision by the Supreme Court.
His comments came in response to the actions of the caretaker federal and provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, who recently filed intra-court appeals against the court’s October 23 judgment. Additionally, the defense ministry and federal government lodged a petition on the same day, contesting the verdict.
Earlier, while the Sindh caretaker government and others initially sought to overturn the ruling on military courts’ trials for civilians, the Sindh government later refuted these claims.
Khan, reiterating his stance in a press conference in Lahore, labeled the caretaker governments as “unconstitutional,” emphasizing that their term has expired. He stressed the ongoing violation of the Constitution in the country, asserting that caretaker administrations cannot interfere in constitutional matters.
Expressing support for the apex court’s decision on military courts, Khan highlighted the challenge put forth by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), noting that the legal community favors the SC’s judgment.
Choudhary Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association, echoed the support for the Supreme Court, commending the judges for nullifying civilian trials in military courts. He urged the caretaker governments to retract their appeals promptly.
Rabia Bajwa, Vice President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association, praised the SC’s decision aligned with the Constitution and law. She voiced dismay over the Senate’s approval of a resolution concerning military courts and urged action to prevent the exploitation of women political workers.
