In Islamabad, on Monday, the civil society called for contempt proceedings against the defense secretary, accusing him of “deliberately and malafidely” violating the Supreme Court’s October 23 judgment, which declared the trials of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional.
Presenting a nine-page document through their counsel Faisal Siddiqi, the civil society members argued that civilians connected to the May 9 and 10 riots should be tried in criminal courts, putting an end to their unlawful detention under military authorities.
The petition asserts that the “alleged contemnor” has “disobeyed” the honorable court by violating its previous ruling in constitutional petition Nos. 24 to 28, 30, and 35 of 2023.
Specifically, it alleges that Defense Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan “deliberately” violated the October order declaring military trials of civilians under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, as “unconstitutional.” The petition underscores the “unconstitutional detention” of the accused for the past 43 days and points out the failure to issue an order for transferring custody to the criminal court.
The civil society members insist on ending the ongoing unconstitutional detention under military authorities, considering it a blatant violation of court orders. The petition emphasizes the immediate need for compliance with the previous order to uphold the “majesty of law.”
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