Commencing on December 13 (Wednesday), the Supreme Court is set to address a series of intra-court appeals (ICAs) challenging the October 23 verdict that upheld the trials of civilians in military courts. In the October 23 decision, the Supreme Court ruled 4-1 against pleas opposing civilian trials in military courts.
The appeals were filed by the PTI chairman and others, contesting the military trial of individuals implicated in the May 9 riots sparked by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
A six-member bench, led by Justice Sardar Tariq, will hear the petitions submitted by the federal government, defense ministry, and the provincial governments of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan. These petitions seek the suspension of the October 23 short order during the pendency of the ICAs.
The petitioners are urging the Supreme Court to set aside its verdict until a decision is reached on the review plea, as the accused individuals are demanding their trial in military courts.
In a report submitted to the Supreme Court, the government stated that 102 individuals were arrested following the May 9 and 10 incidents. The plea emphasized that these individuals were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations, including GHQ Rawalpindi, Corps Commander House Lahore, PAF Base Mianwali, ISI Establishment Civil Lines Faisalabad, Sialkot Cantonment, Hamza Camp, Gujranwala Cantonment, and Bannu Cantonment.
The accused individuals are detained under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, in conjunction with the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
