The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Attorney General Salman Aslam Butt to submit details pertaining to the trials of five convicts awarded death sentences by military courts in order to see whether the principle of fair trial was followed or not.
A 17-member full bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk, was hearing petitions against the 18th and 21st constitutional amendments.
During the hearing, Hamid Khan, counsel for Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), contended before the court that the 21st Amendment is reactionary in nature. The bench took exception when Khan pointed out that Pakistan is signatory to international treaties to uphold fundamental rights.
“We cannot allow international treaties to dictate our local laws,” said Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, adding that the ‘executive’ has attempted to shift the blame for inaction against terrorism on the judiciary in the form of the 21st Amendment.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk questioned whether the 21st amendment has successfully given protection to military courts.
Abid Zuberi, the counsel for Sindh High Court Bar Association, will present his arguments against the 21st Amendment in the next hearing of the case which was adjourned until Wednesday.
