Senior lawyer and constitutional expert Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a review of its May 7, 2025, ruling that upheld the legality of trying civilians in military courts.
The petition, filed through senior advocate Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, calls for the case to be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court, arguing that the matter involves grave implications for fundamental rights and raises significant constitutional questions that warrant deliberation by all sitting judges.
This marks the third major review request on the issue. Former Chief Justice of Pakistan Jawwad S. Khawaja, along with the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) and the Lahore Bar Association, have already filed similar pleas urging the apex court to revisit its decision.
All the petitions share a common warning: allowing civilians to be tried by military courts could set a dangerous precedent, undermining judicial independence and effectively transferring key judicial functions to the executive — blurring the line between civil and military jurisdiction.
In his filing, Barrister Ahsan emphasized that the matter has wide-reaching national implications, as it affects citizens across multiple provinces. He contended that relying solely on high courts would lead to inconsistent outcomes and avoidable delays, especially given the urgency and seriousness of the constitutional and human rights issues involved.
The review petitions urge the Supreme Court to safeguard civilian access to independent judicial forums and to reinforce the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.
