Military courts have once again filed a request in the Supreme Court to establish a full court for the trial of civilians. The petitioner has taken the stance that it is not necessary to have all judges on the full court; instead, the Chief Justice can form a full court consisting of available judges to hear the case.
According to the filed request in the Supreme Court, the issue of conducting trials of civilians in military courts is a matter of public interest. In the past, such cases have been heard either by a bench of nine members or by the full court.
The request also mentioned that the federal government had previously made a similar request to establish a full court. Several ministers of the government have criticized the current bench as well.
Regarding the establishment of a full court, the filed request further stated that all parties, including the establishment, have complied with the decisions of the full court in the past. Justice Yahya Afridi, a member of the bench, has also supported the idea of forming a full court.
The petitioner has reiterated that it is not necessary for the full court to consist of all judges; rather, a full court with available judges, as appointed by the Chief Justice, should hear the case.
As per the request, the Attorney General has already assured that no trial of civilians in military courts has begun, and the matter of conducting trials in civilian courts will be resolved once and for all by the full court.